Indonesian Batik Evolves into Modern Fashion: Designer Drives Cultural Economy with Innovative Exhibition

Designer Ivan Gunawan brings the Sekar Jagat batik typical of Pamekasan, Madura, to a modern fashion showroom through NUSANOVA 2.0 SEKAR JAGAT. The exhibition of fashion installations and visual journeys was opened by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon at D Gallerie, Jakarta, Monday, August 3. The exhibition runs from August 3-7, 2026 and is open to the public free of charge. NUSANOVA 2.0 presents a collection of Indonesian fabrics by Ivan Gunawan in the form of a fashion installation. The public is invited to see fashion not only as clothing, but also as a work of art, a creative process, and a cultural journey. The fabrics displayed were inspired by the Sekar Jagat batik typical of Pamekasan, Madura. Madura batik is known for its boldness, rich colors, and strong visual character. In this collection, Ivan processed batik into clothing with a strong, feminine, modern, and edgy silhouette. Batik is no longer just placed as formal clothing, but brought to a fashion character that deserves to be on the red carpet stage. Fadli Zon said that batik and textile of Nusantara have developed into a part of the cultural economy, even the cultural industry. "Culture is upstream, then creative economy, tourism, and others are downstream. We also need to do the downstream of our culture, one of which is through the hands of our fashion designers," said Fadli. According to Fadli, fashion designers can bring fabrics, including batik, to the world stage. "Fashion designers can bring our fabrics, including batik, in the midst of the world's civilization," he said. Fadli also appreciated Ivan for being considered to give space for artisans, cultural actors, batik makers, and communities involved in the batik industry. He hopes that more Indonesian designers will take similar steps. Collaboration with foreign designers is also considered to accelerate the promotion of textiles in the international market. "We still need many designers who love our culture and hopefully what Mas Ivan Gunawan is doing will also be done by other designer friends," said Fadli. "And also be able to collaborate with fashion designers from outside. That is also one way to quickly accelerate the promotion of our textiles in the international arena, especially in the fashion industry," he said. Ivan Gunawan said this exhibition was made so that the public could see the fabric up close. He wants fashion works not to stop in exclusive spaces. "As a fashion designer, I don't want my work to always be something exclusive," said Ivan. He said this exhibition is also aimed at fabric lovers, young people, and fashion school students. "I want the people of Indonesia, lovers of fabrics and textiles, and the younger generation, especially school fashion children, to be able to see this work up close and get inspiration," said Ivan. According to Ivan, fashion also has a role in education and culture. Therefore, the NUSANOVA 2.0 exhibition is open without admission fees. "I want to show that fashion also has a role in education and culture. Therefore, this exhibition is open to the public for free," said Ivan. Present at the opening of the exhibition were Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, Director General of Development, Utilization, and Development of Culture Ahmad Mahendra, and Head of the Museum and Cultural Heritage Indira Estiyanti Nurjadin.