Muslim Fashion Week Held in Bandung

Bandung, W Java (Antara) - Bandung hosted Indonesian Muslim Fashion Week (IMFW) on July 18-20, 2014, featuring the latest works of 28 Indonesian Muslim dress designers. "The theme of Indonesian Muslim Fashion Week 2014 is 'From Indonesia to the World'. IMFW is expected to become a world Muslim fashion hub in the future," IMFW coordinating committee chairman Pradito Rukmana said here on Sunday. "The moment is right because it coincides with Ramadan fasting month. Now we see that hijab has become a life style," Rukmana said. Among 28 designers participating in the fashion week are Dian Pelangi, Jenahara, Ria Miranda, Ria Baraba, Ghaida,Acha Septriasa, Irfan Hakim, Zaskia Adya Meca, and Nuri Maulida. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in collaboration with the Indonesian Fashion Entrepreneur and Designer Association (APPMI) stated they would support Indonesian Muslim fashion industry through the development of the biggest and the fastest e-commerce market in Southeast Asia. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu said last June that the marketing of the website had increased Muslim fashion development and contributed in making Indonesia as world Muslim clothing center in 2020. "Indonesia's fashion industry has huge potential to drive the economy of society. It has contributed 164 trillion IDR or 28 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013. It also absorbed employment by 32 percent or 3.8 million workers," Pangestu said recently. According to her, Indonesia has the potential to become one of fashion centers in the world, especially in Muslim fashion because it has the creative resources and abundant cultural heritage. With Indonesia as a country with the largest Muslim population, Muslim wear is a part and parcel of fashion trend to many of her people. If Indonesia is able to lift its uniqueness, Indonesia can be one of inspirator for the development of fashion in the world. (*)