here in Jakarta, i have noticed (more like blatantly pushed in my face) a trend that women are embracing: batik tops.dont get me wrong, i love batik. in the past i have studied (mostly from granma) batik, collected books on it (well, mostly handed down from my granma again), and even used elements from it in my design (most notable the audition graphics for KDI 5). i am also saving some cash on Iwan Tirta's book on batik.
im very glad an indonesian traditional fabric is getting recognition and being worn daily now, instead only at weddings or other formal events... but its a trend that's overwhelmed by "sameness"; a-line babydoll & wrap javanese batik tops everyone is wearing. from my mother, great aunts, and younger cousins. its a bit too much.
besides, there are all kinds of fabrics in indonesia: batik prada from bali (with bold gold prints on bold solid background), silk ikat fabrics from sulawesi, jumputan/tritik (a type of tie-dye treatment), songket, batak tribe's ulos, not to mention their variants and all other types of weaves & dies that i cant recall at the moment...
to avoid drowning in this sea of batik motifs, and yet still feel "indonesian culture"-fied... i decided i should take one of the other fabrics and make a simple top; nice enough to wear to family events, and comfortable enough to wear out. last week i found the answer while rummaging through my mother's traditional fabric closet: a brand new green sarung samarinda, with white contrast weaving and gold threads. in 3 hours i finished the top, and wore it to my family gathering last sunday.
yay for variety!
next is the purple jumputan cotton. i think it will turn into a dress. yes.
plus im hoping my friend will have luck finding some bright ikat sarungs in makassar today :)
the one i have is too precious(sentimental value) to cut up...
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