REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The modernization of Batik prints often reduces its traditional and cultural values, Indonesian Batik designer Iwet Ramadhan said.
Local designers are now using batik as materials to create clothes of the latest trends, and the utilization of batik without its cultural and traditional ways can reduce its value.
"Fine handmade batik is yet to receive the appreciation it deserves, and it should be used in ways that are traditional rather than turning them into ready-to-wear clothes," Ramadhan stated in Jakarta, recently.
He believed that there are many ways to turn batik materials into clothing pieces that can be worn in our daily lives, especially for the young people.
"Batik can even be used with t-shirts; it all depends on one's own creativity. There are many ways to wear batik without having to cut them into ready-to-wear pieces; for example, they can be turned into halter neck sack dresses by using the drapery technique," he explained.
He believed that it is important for the public to not only wear batik but to also understand the philosophy and the processes behind it.
That way, he continued, batik can be appreciated for its entire worth, including monetary, traditional, and manufacturing values.
"In order to achieve that, there needs to be a collective effort, because it is impossible for the designers or for the media to work on their own to promote the values of batik," he stated.
In relation to the younger generation, Ramadhan believed that fashion bloggers can play their role in promoting the philosophy behind batik, instead of merely wearing the material, as they have such a large platform that can be used to reach the wider audience, including youth.
"It would be great if they could disseminate information on the philosophy behind the materials that they wear, as they are currently have the power to influence such a large crowd," he revealed.
He believed that the promotion of batik and its philosophy will also empower those who work in the industry.
"Batik is a masterpiece, where the craftsmen put their heart and soul into their creation," he affirmed.
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