Ulos Officially Held, Becomes Source of Inspiration for Indonesia Fashion Week 2026

JAKARTA - The BTN Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2026 fashion week was officially held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. In this year's event, North Sumatra Province was appointed as the Official Theme with the theme Ulos Simetria.

As is known, ulos is a traditional fabric that originates from North Sumatra. However, ulos is not just a traditional fabric, but also a symbol of warmth, balance, harmony, and unity.

The President of the Indonesian Fashion Week and Chairman of the Indonesian Fashion Designer Entrepreneurs Association (APPMI), Poppy Dharsono, said that the theme was to emphasize that the Indonesian fashion industry always balances tradition and innovation.

"Through the Ulos Simetria theme, we want to emphasize that the Indonesian fashion industry must continue to maintain a balance between tradition and innovation, between local wisdom and global competition, and between cultural values and the future of the creative industry. This is the spirit as the foundation of Indonesia Fashion Week 2026," said Poppy Dharsono, at the Opening Ceremony of BTN Indonesia Fashion Week 2026, at JCC, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

At this event, the richness of Ulos textiles as part of the Batak people's tradition is translated into silhouettes and contemporary styles that are relevant to current fashion trends without abandoning the philosophical values behind it. This will create a fusion of cultural heritage, creativity, and national creative economic potential.

"We hope that Ulos will be better known in the eyes of the world and not only in the field of fashion but also in the field of tourism, it will be better known in Generation Z. I hope that designers will look more at Ulos, because this Batak cultural heritage is very rich," said Chairman of the North Sumatra Provincial Dekranasda Kahiyang Ayu Bobby Nasution.

In addition to the stage of creativity, the Director of Network & Retail Funding of BTN, Rully Setiawan said that this event is also to strengthen various participating sectors.

"This event is a driver of the creative economy, bringing together business actors, opening market access, increasing transactions and investments, and strengthening the tourism sector, as well as creating a multiplier effect that benefits the national economy," said Rully.

Meanwhile, during the five-day implementation, July 29 to August 3, 2026, BTN Indonesia Fashion Week 2026 presents more diverse designers and tenants from across Indonesia. Starting from programs covering fashion shows, trade exhibitions, talkshows, creative forums, entertainment performances, and culinary are designed to build a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable fashion ecosystem.