The annual Indonesia Fashion Week opened up on 10th March reflecting its theme of "Ragam Wastra Nusantara," or "Rich Varieties of Traditional Textiles of the Archipelago" and showcased the best of the country's up and coming designers, while celebrating Indonesia's rich history in textiles and fashion.

Smesco, a public service agency under the ministry of cooperatives and small-medium enterprises, was a highlight of the first day of the event. Held in the JCC's Plenary Hall yesterday, the show

Ahmad Zabadi, managing director of Smesco said that through the show, they want to highlight Indonesia's multi-ethnic and multi-creativity products.

Smesco engaged seven Indonesian labels, with each designer coming up with a special contemporary collection using traditional textiles.

"Acakacak" by the Susan Budihardjo Fashion College presented a chic men's and women's collection themed "Z'Rowaste" — pronounced "zero waste" — in the show.

The collection, made of Central Java's Lurik, batiks and scuba fabric, features neatly structured jackets, sweaters, crop tops and capri pants in sassy monochromatic colors.

The collection, which is made of Central Java's handwoven fabric 'Lurik', batiks and scuba fabric, features neatly structured jackets, sweaters, crop tops and capri pants in sassy monochromatic colors. With special tailoring techniques, the twelve alumni of Susan Budihardjo college, who are currently working for "Acakacak," made sure minimum fabric went to waste in the process.

In the same show, Yogiswari Prajanti presented a special collection themed "Prettylicious," which is mainly made of handwoven fabric from Jepara, Central Java, and Tenun Adonara from East Nusa Tenggara.

Yogiswari's collection, which combines simple streamlined silhouettes, relaxed fit and earthy colors, gave young and innocent looks for the models.

But it was Handy Hartono that stole the Smesco show yesterday. The senior designer presented six contemporary women's looks made of tie-dye batiks. The China-blue hue of the collection, as well as their bold, oversized patterns highlights Handy's casual items.

All the items in the fashion show are available now at the Smesco booth, which is located near the main entrance of JCC, during the Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW).

The Smesco building currently houses over 1,600 SMEs from all over Indonesia. Their products range from fashion, handbags, jewelry, furniture and many others.

IFW will last until Sunday, March 13.