Wastra Karo, Cultural Heritage With High Values From The Land Of Sumatra Appears At IFW 2025

Ethnic Chic by Irma Siregar displays a collection of clothes from the Karo wastra at the Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2025 event at the Jakarta Convention Center, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Sunday (1/6/2025). (ANTARA/Sri Dewi Larasati)

JAKARTA - Wastra Karo is part of the rich culture of traditional Indonesian textiles originating from Karo ethnicity in North Sumatra. This traditional cloth, also known as Uis Karo, has distinctive motifs and colors and is full of philosophical meanings, making it not only as clothing material but also a symbol of cultural identity.

In its development, the Karo wastra began to get more attention in the world of national fashion thanks to the collaboration between modern designers and local craftsmen who lifted the uniqueness of this cloth to prestigious stages.

One form of recognition for the Karo wastra was seen at the Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) 2025 event, where the North Sumatra Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) collaborated with the Ethnic Chic label by Irma Siregar to display the clothing collection with the theme "The Enchanting of Uis Karo". This collection is exhibited on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Irma Siregar said that Karo's wastra participation in this event aims to introduce the diversity of North Sumatra culture which has been more widely known through the Batak Toba ethnicity.

"I want to show that North Sumatra is not just about Toba. There are eight other ethnic groups, including Karo, whose wastra deserves to be appointed and introduced," he said after the fashion show.

At the IFW event, the models demonstrated clothes that combine traditional elements with modern styles. Irma explained that Uis Karo's motifs and colors are now more varied, making it more flexible to mix and match.

So far, many feel that the color of the wastra is too dark or difficult to use for everyday style. So we collaborated with weaving to bring fresher and more trendable colors," said Irma.

Ethnic Chic's collection includes casual to semi-formal clothing, with modern accents such as the use of laces and other cloth blends. Bright colors such as mint, yellow, red, and orange dominate the collection, creating a light and dynamic look.

"I want to make people feel that wastra can be used in everyday life, not just for traditional events," added Irma.

One of the main elements in this collection is the Bulung Binara songket cloth, which is a representation of Karo's culture. Irma explained that every motif in Uis Karo contains a deep meaning. Bulung Binara's motive, for example, describes the leaves that are believed to bring health and prosperity to the wearer.

Through events like IFW, Karo's wastra was not only introduced to the wider public, but was also given room to develop and adapt to the times without losing his identity.