The Indonesia International Modest Fashion Festival (IN2MF) 2024 was one of the biggest highlights of the Indonesia Sharia Economic Festival (ISEF) 2024. The event was held at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) in Senayan, Jakarta, which took place from Oct 30-Nov 3.
The event, centred around traditional Indonesian textiles (wastra), spotlighted the works of acclaimed fashion designers who creatively integrated wastra into their designs. Among the prominent names at IN2MF were Ali Charisma and Ilham Bahari, a brand renowned for its Palembang wastra designs.
The line-up also included Organic Culture by Anita Yuni, the joint collection from Irna La Perle by Irna Mutiara and KainHalal, and Ozzy Batik by Lianawaty H, alongside many other exceptional names.
Each piece beautifully accentuated the rich elements of batik, songket, non-machine looms (ATBM), lurik, tapis, sasirangan, jumputan, border and knitted fabrics. Moreover, the incorporation of eco-printing further highlighted IN2MF’s commitment to sustainable fashion practices.
IN2MF set a new record for showcasing the highest number of wastra-based collections ever displayed in a single event, with a total of 1,550 designs from 208 Indonesian brands.
This earned IN2MF formal recognition from the Indonesia World Records Museum (MURI). Additionally, the event featured the works of 10 international designers from Australia, India, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Overall, the designs showed how wastra could be reimagined for contemporary fashion while honouring its legacy and contributing to sustainable development.
BUSINESS COLLABORATION
Held annually, the IN2MF 2024 was organised by Bank Indonesia (BI), the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of Indonesia (UMKM), and the Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC).
The governor of BI, Perry Warjiyo, stated: “IN2MF can represent a collaboration between the government, private sector, associations, banking institutions, educational institutions, and the community.”
With this year’s theme, ‘Elevating Sustainable Modest Fashion to the Global Stage’, IN2MF aims to redefine modest fashion as a global movement championing sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. This vision aligns with Indonesia’s vision of fostering an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Shariah economy.
While primarily celebrated as a fashion show, IN2MF also offered a variety of activities and programmes. Understanding that innovation in textile design emerges from the ideas and skills shared between designers and artisans, IN2MF hosted the Business Matching Traditional Textiles programme.
The 2024 edition of IN2MF stressed collaboration between stakeholders. As such, the festival hosted a series of seminars on modest fashion. One session titled ‘Modest Fashion Business: Redefining Creativity with STRIVE 25/26’ reviewed fashion trends for the years 2025 and 2026.
Ciputra University Creative Director and Fashion Design Lecturer Weda Githapradana and Rahayu Budhi Handayani, a researcher and fellow lecturer from the university, presented the seminar. Dina Midiani, a fashion design lecturer and trend forecaster, moderated the session.
In addition to seminars, Focus Discussion Groups (FGDs) were held. These sessions delved into key business topics such as design and production, sustainability practices aimed at reducing environmental impact, trend forecasting for market adaptability, and challenges specific to the modest fashion industry.
Through business matching and strategic partnerships, IN2MF 2024 saw remarkable results, with US$4.5 million in commitments, sales, and financing recorded.
Its international roadshows in Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, and Paris prior to the event brought the total value generated to US$15.9 million, demonstrating IN2MF’s contribution to Indonesia’s Shariah economy.
This success, together with IN2MF’s increasing global presence, further reinforces Indonesia’s status as a central hub for global modest fashion.
