18 Local Fashion Brands Shown at New York Indonesian Fashion Week (NYIFW) 2023 Feat IFAF

JAKARTA - New York Indonesian Fashion Week was held again on February 11, 2023. This time, NYIFW is collaborating with 18 fashion brands from Indonesia and 1 local brand from America.

Unlike the previous implementation, NYIFW 2023 will be held on a cruise ship. NYIWF producer Vanny Tousignant said the biggest challenge he faced was managing the stage.

"Because this is the first time we are holding a fashion show during New York Fashion Week on a cruise ship, we as a team must be able to execute models fitting, make up, hair, rehearsal and runway in just 4 hours," he said when contacted Saturday, February 18.

It's not an easy matter to ensure that backstage preparations run smoothly so that fashion show appearances run smoothly. "With participants from 18 fashion brands from Indonesia and 1 local brand from America, there are 69 female and 6 male models that must be arranged so that the flow of the fashion show can run smoothly," he explained.

Designers from Indonesia are very enthusiastic about participating in the show on this cruise ship. "Our ship is very large, has 4 spacious floors with different functions. Apart from fashion shows, designers also tour New York City harbor for 4 hours," he said.

Vanny said there were a lot of visitors this time, different from our previous shows. "Because this time we are collaborating with the Indonesia Fashion and Art Festival (IFAF), a foundation directly fostered by Ms. Lina Marlina, the wife of the Deputy Governor of West Java, so the visitors are even more enthusiastic," he explained.

The local government's attention to appointing local designers to show off in international arenas is getting bigger with the presence of the Regent of Bombana and the Regent of Central Buton from Sulawesi.

Ayu Rosan, wife of our Ambassador from Washington, Sari, wife of PTRI Ambassador to the United Nations, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in New York, Professor Michael Nagel from the Fashion Institute and Technology, several fashion bloggers from America and Canada, as well as the Indonesian diaspora in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Delaware and California.

Entering its 12th season, NYIFW carries the same theme, namely International Fashion and Arts. "Our responsibility is to uphold our eastern dignity through the shows we produce. It is our hope that our designers can have a market in America and their brands will be more appreciated both at home and abroad," said Vanny.

And for marketing, New York Indonesia Fashion Week also collaborates with boutiques or galleries in America, one of which is Dia Gallery in Wilmington, Delaware to market designer works after the fashion show.