Kebaya Noni Menmuka Dunia, Tampil Di New York Fashion Week, Toronto, Hingga Houston

JAKARTA - Efforts to preserve kebaya as a cultural heritage in Indonesia continue to get attention in the international arena. Since the kebaya was officially included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List in December 2024, various initiatives have been carried out to introduce it more widely, including through fashion demonstrations abroad.

One of the things that caught the eye was the "Kebaya Noni" performance by Griffith Louise, which managed to look stunning in three major cities in the world: New York (USA), Toronto (Canada), and Houston (US).

In the series of events, kebaya was featured in various fashion shows, including "Fashion and Kebaya" at the Indonesian Consulate General in New York, "Kebaya Heritage in Style" at the Indonesian Consulate General in Toronto, as well as "Indonesia Fashion Runway" in Houston, which received support from the Indonesian Consulate General in Houston, Texas.

The invited guests, consisting of foreign diplomats, official wives, fashion lovers from the United States and Canada, as well as Indonesian diaspora, admitted that they were amazed by the beauty of the kebaya displayed. The collections introduced include various styles, from classical to modern kebaya, including the Draft Kebaya Noni design from Griffith Louise and designer Hengki Kawilarang.

In Indonesia alone, kebaya has many variants, such as Javanese kebaya, Bali kebaya, Kartini kebaya, Sundanese kebaya, new kebaya aphi, to Kebaya Noni. Kebaya Noni is one of the typical cultural heritages of North Sulawesi which became known from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century.

This dress was introduced by European aristocrats who came to Indonesia, adapting their distinctive lace with local cotton cloth so that the Noni Kebaya was born in an elegant white color, often worn by royal women at that time.

The uniqueness of Kebaya Noni lies in the use of lace without embroidery. The makeup of lace adorns the collar up to the bottom, as well as at the end of the arm, creating a elegant impression. Currently, the design of Kebaya Noni continues to grow, including the addition of two arranged laces. As a complement, the typical accessories used come from North Sulawesi marine products, such as shells and pearls.

Chairman of the Indonesian Noni Kebaya Lovers Association (PPKNI), Galita Louise, emphasized her commitment to continue promoting Kebaya Noni, to be increasingly recognized at home and abroad.

"Kebaya is not just clothing, but also a symbol of identity, pride, and love for the nation's culture. Celebration is not only about appearance, but also about understanding and respecting the history and values of traditions passed down from generation to generation," said Galita.

Through these various initiatives, kebaya is expected to have a more place in the hearts of the global community, as well as strengthen Indonesia's position as a country rich in cultural heritage.