Jakarta. The Jakarta Fashion Hub (JFH), a collaborative space that combines fashion and creativity for fashion enthusiasts, officially opened on Tuesday (18/8/2020). The JFH will act as a creative space for fashion enthusiasts and will help unlock the potential of the domestic fashion, textile, and creative industries.

The Jakarta Fashion Hub was initiated by the integrated viscose-rayon fibre manufacturer Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) with the vision to provide a space for fashion enthusiasts to formulate concepts, design products, and create original works by utilizing the various available facilities.

Located in the Tanoto Foundation Building in downtown Jakarta, JFH acts as a collaborative space between fashion enthusiasts, designers, and industry players to bolster the local fashion and textile industry. 

"We hope that the Jakarta Fashion Hub can become a platform for fashion enthusiasts, students, designers, and fashion business owners to continue to explore their potential and develop creative ideas in creating original Indonesian fashion trademarks and go global, in line with President Joko Widodo's vision of encouraging #BanggaBuatanIndonesia,” said Asia Pacific Rayon Director Basrie Kamba.

To upscale national branding, JFH offers everything that a designer needs to launch a top-notch fashion label, including a workshop, photo studio, and display room. Fabrics in various motifs -- including those made from APR’s sustainable viscose rayon -- are available for grab and thus enhancing the supply chain.

Workshops are open for fellow fashion enthusiasts to discuss the potential trends and gain insight for better marketing strategies.

Didiet Maulana, designer and owner of IKAT Indonesia, welcomed the launch of the Jakarta Fashion Hub as a platform to accommodate young Indonesians who aspire to channel their passion in fashion. 

"Hopefully, the Jakarta Fashion Hub can serve as a gathering place for fashion designers and communities to innovate and support industry development," said Didiet.

Webinar “Make Your Own Fashion Labels - Proudly Made in Indonesia”

The launch of the Jakarta Fashion Hub was highlighted at the third Everything Indonesia webinar series, which was focused on the theme “Make Your Own Fashion Labels – Bangga Buatan Indonesia”.

The event brought together speakers from the fashion and textile industry, such as Elis Masitoh, Director of Textiles, Leather and Footwear Industry, Ministry of Industry; Josephine ‘Obin’ Kumara, founder of BIN House; Didiet Maulana, owner of IKAT Indonesia; Dana Maulana, co-founder of Danjyo Hiyoji; and Melinda Babyana, CEO of The Bespoke Fashion Consultant.

According to the Industry Ministry, Indonesia still needs to improve their national branding for them to take over the domestic market.

“We need to work together to promote local brands and convince the public that local brands are not less superior than foreign brands. We need to create a common understanding that Indonesian brands are as good as foreign brands. The government has formulated an integrated action plan for the development of the fashion industry, from encouraging brand creation, improving product quality, promotion and marketing, market access expansion, and skills and knowledge improvement for the human resources,” said Elis Masitoh.

BIN House Founder Josephine ‘Obin’ Kumara said that innovation is the key to building a sustainable label. “Creating a brand is about creating a product that lasts, providing jobs for many, being proud of your own creations, and always creating something new by making breakthroughs and doing trials.”

Designers can visit JFH at the seventh floor on Jalan Teluk Betung No. 33, Central Jakarta. The fashion platform follows strict health protocol guidelines such as ensuring that all visitors maintain a safe distance.

Registration is free of charge until the end of the year.