Indonesia Showcases Heritage Textiles at Saudi Fashion Expo

Indonesia's fashion designers are showcasing their unique heritage textiles at Saudi Arabia's largest fashion exhibition, the Fashiontex Expo in Jeddah. The event brings together over 500 exhibitors from 25 countries and is expected to attract more than 10,000 international visitors. Indonesia, which leads globally in the modest fashion sector, is represented by a group of 10 designers and companies curated by the country's Trade Ministry.

According to Irna Mutiara, founder of fashion brand Irna La Perle, the expo provides an opportunity to bring Indonesian cultural identity and wealth to the global market. She is launching a special abaya collection that uses traditional jumputan fabric from Palembang, South Sumatra, which is made by using tie-dyeing techniques.

Irna's brand has been supported by the government in its efforts to expand exports of modest fashion to Saudi Arabia and other countries. The country's modest fashion market is forecast to reach $40 billion by 2029, making it a significant target for Indonesian designers seeking to enter the global luxury and modest clothing sectors.

Rina Angrainy, founder of KarinaDesign, another participating designer, believes that her collection blends modern design with distinctive Indonesian craftsmanship. She hopes to highlight the quality standard of Indonesian modest fashion and attract potential buyers in Saudi Arabia.