The Ministry of Trade (MoT) affirmed Indonesia's declaration as the global center for Muslim fashion in 2024, aligning with efforts to globally market the nation's halal products. The MoT's Director-General of National Export Development, Didi Sumedi, announced plans to declare Indonesia as the world's modest fashion center, in accordance with the directives of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin. Collaborating with Bank Indonesia and the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM), efforts are ongoing to promote Indonesian fashion internationally. Modest fashion emphasizes modesty in clothing, veiling the body more and avoiding excessive displays of bodily contours, combining religious values with fashion, and gaining popularity globally. Didi expressed concerted efforts by the MoT, Bank Indonesia, and Kemenkop UKM to promote Muslim fashion globally, engaging Indonesian fashion domestically in esteemed fashion weeks like New York, Paris, London, and Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week.
Indonesia aims for global prominence in modest fashion, focusing on key markets to support Indonesian Muslim fashion internationally. Didi emphasized elevating Indonesian modest fashion on global platforms like renowned fashion weeks. He clarified the difference between modest and Muslim fashion, attributing it primarily to the presence of the hijab. Modest fashion excludes the hijab, while Muslim fashion incorporates it. Arief Hartawan, Head of Bank Indonesia's Sharia Economics and Finance Department, pledged support for Indonesia's vision as the world's modest fashion hub. He highlighted the potential of Indonesian designers and indigenous textiles to compete globally, envisioning their modification into significant fashion elements. Arief aspired to integrate Indonesia Fashion Week Modest Fashion into the global fashion calendar, aiming for a positive impact on the international fashion scene through Indonesian creativity and innovation.
