Headdress heritage takes center stage

The catwalks have recently seen a revival of traditional costumes in rich colors and patterns, sometimes fused with the latest cuts and details. But as fabulous as they look, one element has been missing: Headdresses.

Often omitted from fashion parades and discussions on cultural heritage, traditional headdresses are like neglected treasures. Even though they can tell stories of centuries-old motifs and philosophies, they have not managed to attract many people’s interest in learning more about them. “A headdress might be one thing that many people never pay attention to, but it’s an important element as a part of the whole of traditional couture,” said Adiati Arifin Siregar, chairwoman of the Indonesian Traditional Textile Society (Himpunan Wastraprema).

For this reason, Wastraprema will gather together headdresses from across the archipelago as part its prestigious textile exhibition Adi Wastra Nusantara – or the Showcase of Traditional Textiles of the Archipelago – which will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center from April 15 to 19.

Adi Wastra Nusantara
April 15–19, 2009
Halls A and B
Jakarta Convention Center
Jl. Gatot Subroto, Senayan Central Jakarta
Information:
Himpunan Wastraprema
021-7190130, 7190140

Full article by Dian Kuswandini