As Indonesia Fashion Week enters its 14th edition, the country’s largest fashion event turns its attention to North Sumatra, where centuries-old textile traditions continue to inspire contemporary design.
Clothes always have something to tell, sometimes it lies in the style of the jacket, sometimes it comes out in the colour of the material, and other times, in tradition itself. It is in this tradition that BTN Indonesia Fashion Week 2026 hopes to engage the audience this year, encouraging them to go beyond the clothes and understand the rich cultural background that went into their design.
The official beginning came on 30 June 2026 when the Campaign Launch was organized at Atrium Lippo Mall Nusantara, Jakarta. This event was organized by the Indonesian Fashion Designers and Entrepreneurs Association (APPMI), and it not only marks the one-month countdown to Indonesia Fashion Week but also gives away the theme of this year’s program. From 29 July to 2 August 2026, the Jakarta International Convention Centre (JICC) will be home to the world of designers, fashionistas, and businessmen all gathered under the theme of “Ulos Simetria”, which highlights North Sumatra as the Official Theme of the Year.
The decision of the organisers is also significant and apt. Ulos is a fabric that has always been an integral part of the Batak traditions, used for special occasions in a family’s life and as a symbol of belonging and identity. This time, the Ulos fabric will be the inspiration behind new projects, proving that the craft can continue to develop while retaining its uniqueness.
Speaking about the event, Poppy Dharsono, the chairwoman of APPMI and the president of Indonesia Fashion Week said that during the past fourteen years, the event had managed to unite designers, businesses, government organizations and international organisations in their common efforts to strengthen the Indonesian fashion industry. With the help of the project Ulos Simetria, Poppy Dharsono is sure that the traditions of Indonesia will continue to develop and inspire innovations all over the world.
That spirit of collaboration can also be seen in the event’s returning partners. Bank BTN joins Indonesia Fashion Week for the third consecutive year as Co-Host, Title Sponsor, and Official Bank Partner, reflecting its ongoing support for Indonesia’s growing creative economy.
Frengky Rosadrian Perangin-Angin, the Wealth Management Division Head of Bank BTN explains that banks these days have a role that goes beyond financial services. They can collaborate with the creative sector to help provide new possibilities for designers, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs who want to expand their business. Digital payment facilities, discount coupons, and advance tickets will also be available to the visitors through Bale by BTN before the event.
The current year’s partnership between the government of North Sumatra and the programme brings a new dimension to the programme. It is not only about showcasing the Ulos; it is also about introducing the province’s tourism sector, businesses, culture and creative industry to the rest of Indonesia and international visitors.
For Dedi Arian Rizki Siregar, Head of Tourism Marketing at the North Sumatra Office of Culture, Tourism and Creative Industry, this partnership gives the chance to showcase the Ulos from a different angle. It is not just a traditional textile, it is more than that, it is an identity, an expression of creativity, and how culture evolves.
The international nature of Indonesia Fashion Week continues this year through the collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency that has introduced ASSOMAC into the program. The purpose of this cooperation is to enhance relationships between the two countries and provide local companies of the leather industry with better access to technology and knowledge.
Visitors will also experience fashion in a slightly different way this year. PT Unitama Sari Mas, through its Dahlia Teh Keraton brand, has been introduced as the Signature Scent of BTN Indonesia Fashion Week 2026, adding fragrance as another part of the overall experience.
President Director Anne Wonsono believes scent has the ability to stay with people long after an event has ended. The signature scent will be there all around at the venue and will go hand-in-hand with the fashion shows and exhibitions.
This was followed by the premiere of the official video for the campaign, which was then succeeded by the “6 Icons BTN Indonesia Fashion Week 2026” Mini Runway show. All in all, this presented an initial hint at the creative direction that will unfold once the event itself commences within the following weeks.
Within five days, there will be a gathering of hundreds of designers, exhibitors, MSMEs, businesses, government officials, and international collaborators via runway shows, exhibitions, business forums, talk shows, and collaborative programs at the BTN Indonesia Fashion Week 2026 event. In anticipation of the countdown, the Ulos Simetria reminds us that fashion is not just about what people are wearing, it is about the story that they choose to pass down to the next generations.
Indonesia Fashion Week
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