From Jakarta To Tokyo, Nila Baharuddin Mejeng's Recycle Collection In Japan

The collection of traditional Indonesian bags by Nila Baharuddin designers in Japan (doc. Nila Baharuddin)

JAKARTA - Indonesian fashion designers are increasingly showing their existence on the global fashion stage with works that combine traditional values and a sustainable approach.

One of the salient examples is the creative effort in presenting local handicrafts as part of the contemporary fashion narrative by Nila Baharuddin.

On July 15, 2025, Nila again displayed her exclusive collection of handmade bags in Japan, this time through a pop-up store in Daimaru Tokyo, one of the country's prestigious department stores.

This marks the second time his work has been present in Japan, having previously been featured on FEELSEEN Ginza, a boutique known as a selective curatorial approach.

Nila's latest collection highlights the beauty of macrome techniques combined with local rattan wovenness. The materials used, such as cotton threads from natural coloring and rattan from Indonesian craftsmen, show skilled hands from the country.

The soft colors that dominate the collection, such as ground brown and cream, create a warm and organic impression.

In addition, there are also unique bags made from recycled furniture textiles. Previously unused upholstery fabrics are now transformed into high aesthetically valuable fashion products. Classical motifs such as floral vintage and geometric lines give retro as well as contemporary nuances in one look.

In his interview, Nila explained that the selection of materials such as makrame and rattan was not only a matter of visuality, but also symbolic.

He wants to emphasize cultural attachment between Indonesia and Japan, as well as create a bridge of creativity through collaboration. He also opened the opportunity to cooperate with Japanese textile producers to develop new elements in his future works.

"I chose rattan and makrame not only because of the beauty and sustainability factors, but also because of the meaning behind it. The macrame threads symbolize the entanglement between our culture, while Indonesian rattan which is known to be strong is a reflection of my hope for a strong and sustainable relationship between Indonesia and Japan," Nila said in her statement to VOI.

All bags in this collection are produced manually by craftsmen in Indonesia, making them a product that is not only visually beautiful but also carries social and environmental missions.

Through an approach like this, Indonesian designers' works are not only fashion products, but also cross-cultural narratives that deserve appreciation on the world stage.

"I want to create a global platform for Indonesian craftsmen, so that their works can be known and appreciated internationally. I also want to collaborate with Japanese textile producers to present new elements in my design in Indonesia, as part of a creative journey that brings together two cultures," he concluded.