In celebration of our 14th anniversary, we are extending our appreciation to those who have made significant contributions to the improvement of design in Indonesia by presenting Indonesia Design Best Design Awards. This is Denny Wirawan, a nominee in the Best Fashion Designer category.
Batik is a core element of Indonesian heritage and is widely known around the world. It can be found in a diverse range of unique patterns and applications but some examples now need to be actively preserved and maintained. The batik that is made in Kudus, Central Java, is one of those examples that is dying out and in need of preservation. Luckily, one of Indonesia’s senior designers, Denny Wirawan, is smitten by the beauty of Batik Kudus and has decided to use it as the inspiration for his fashion collections.
In collaboration with Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, Denny has brought back the glory of Batik Kudus that was once famous in the 1950s through two collections: Pasar Malam (Night Market) in 2015 and Wedari (Royal Garden) in 2017. The more recent collection, Wedari, also marks his 20 years in the fashion industry. Inspired by Batik Kudus craftsmen, he reveals a variety of unpublished motifs and isen-isen (the ornament details in batik that complements a motif, usually it comes in small and simple form such as dots).
Denny has not only done a good job in preserving Batik Kudus through his fashion collections, but he has also given it a new contemporary feel.