Jakarta, 9 July 2018 - As one of the Indonesian creative industry treasures, ikat weaving is now starting to be developed massively and spread in various regions in Indonesia including Toraja, Sintang, Jepara, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba, Flores, Timor, and so forth.
In order to learn more about weaving as a national cultural heritage that is now introduced as a fashion style that reflects the national identity, PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) organizes Kafe BCA 8 under the theme of "Tenun Ikat, Indonesian Legacy into the Spotlight". On the same occasion, in cooperation with IKAT Indonesia, BCA develops its new uniforms which incorporated ikat motifs.
Attending the event as a keynote speaker was President Director of BCA Jahja Setiaatmadja, Director of BCA Lianawaty Suwono, Director of BCA Vera Eve Lim, Fashion Designer and Founder IKAT Indonesia Didiet Maulana, and Creative Economy Observer A. Prasetyantoko in Jakarta, Monday (9/7).
Jahja said that Indonesia is a country of remarkable diversity. The diversity in Indonesian traditional fabrics and ikat is distinctive and astounding. These traditional textiles and ikat weavings are a product of creative societies, which have been passed down through the generations. These crafts must be appreciated and preserved through various initiatives in accordance with the current context, such as using the woven motifs for today’s fashion.
"Through the initiative to produce BCA ikat uniforms, BCA wants to stimulate massive demands for ikat in order to create opportunity for the weavers to develop and reap the benefits from such demands. The initiative is expected to inspire domestic economic actors to utilize value and meaning the ikat carries within it to further strengthen the national Identity,” added Jahja.
Lianawaty Suwono, Director of BCA, explained that the creative process took around six months, where the designer discusses with artisans until he finalised the design and another six months for production. In producing the new uniforms, BCA and IKAT Indonesia involved more than 2,500 craftsmen in Desa Troso, Jepara. The total length of woven fabrics made reaches 45,000 meters. And these new uniforms will be worn by approximately 27,000 BCA employees throughout Indonesia.
Vera Eve Lim, Director of BCA also added that through this initiative the company is committed to support and foster the local economy by assisting local people with skills and expertise, including the ikat weavers. The new BCA ikat uniforms will be worn by BCA employees to strengthen the national identity of BCA in more than 1,200 BCA branches throughout Indonesia.
In line with that, Didiet Maulana asserted that he appreciates BCA’s steps in utilizing the Indonesian ikat weaving and mass-producing the new BCA ikat uniforms. The Indonesian ikat itself is already popular in global fashion repertoire and has its own appeal due to the philosophical meanings and opulence it carries within it. The BCA initiative is an appropriate step in strengthening the ikat appeal in today’s fashion trends.
"The said work is undergoing a long process, starting from the efforts to merge BCA culture and philosophical values of woven fabric that live and are passed down from generation to generation by the ikat craftsmen. The initiative is very beneficial for ikat weavers to continue their work according to today’s fashion trends,” explained Didiet.
“We want the public to have a new perspective in utilising the Indonesian ikat weaving by introducing and wearing the BCA uniform with ikat motifs. Hopefully, other institutions or corporations will follow our path in supporting the preservation and development of Indonesian traditional ikat,” Jahja concluded.
Launching of BCA’s New Corporate Uniforms - President Director of PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) Jahja Setiaatmadja (third left) accompanied by Director of BCA Lianawaty Suwono (right), Director of BCA Vera Eve Lim (left) and Founder & Fashion Designer Didiet Maulana (second right) together with BCA employees wearing the new uniforms after the launching of BCA’s new corporate uniform made from woven fabric at the Kafe BCA 8 talkshow titled "Tenun Ikat, Indonesian Legacy into the Spotlight". In collaboration with IKAT Indonesia, BCA employs more than 2,500 craftsmen in Troso Village, Jepara, in the creation of the new corporate uniform. The new uniform will be worn by approximately 27,000 BCA employees throughout Indonesia.
Talkshow Kafe BCA 8 - President Director of PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA) Jahja Setiaatmadja (second right) accompanied by Director of BCA Lianawaty Suwono (second left), Director of BCA Vera Eve Lim (left), Founder & Fashion Designer Didiet Maulana (center) and Creative Economy Observer A. Prasetyantoko (right) were talking about the importance to learn more about Indonesian Ikat on the sidelines of Kafe BCA 8 talkshow in Jakarta, Monday (9/7). Under the theme of "Tenun Ikat, Indonesian Legacy into the Spotlight", Kafe BCA 8 explores how weaving as one of the national cultural heritage is now being introduced as a trendy fashion style that reflects our national identity.
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About PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (as of 31st March 2018)
BCA is one of the leading commercial banks in Indonesia with a core focus on transaction banking business and providing loan facilities and solutions to the corporate, commercial & SME and consumer segments. At the end of March 2018, BCA had the privilege of serving 17,5 million customer accounts, processing millions of transactions every day through 1,236 branches, 17,624 ATMs and more than 490 thousands of EDC machines as well as transactions made over the 24-hour internet and mobile banking systems.
For more information, please contact
PT BANK CENTRAL ASIA TBK
Corporate Secretariat Division – Corporate Communication Sub Division
Public Relations Bureau
Address : Jl. MH Thamrin No. 1
Menara BCA Grand Indonesia Lt. 20
Jakarta Pusat
Telepon : (021) 2358-8000
Fax : (021) 2358-8300
E-mail : humas@bca.co.id
