Jakarta Fashion Week is more than an event—it’s a story of passion, innovation,industry showcase and a shared love for the art of fashion. Since its launch in 2008, JFW has been the beating heart of Indonesia’s fashion scene, empowering local talent to shine on the world stage. With each runway show, every new collection, it’s not just about clothes—it’s about telling the story of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage reimagined through modern design.

Forging deep connections across the Indonesian fashion industry and community, JFW unites designers, visionaries, and tastemakers in a powerful celebration of creativity. Programs like Indonesia Fashion Forward have paved the way for local designers to inspire the world, offering not just a glimpse, but a bold statement of Indonesia’s future in fashion. Together, we’re creating a movement where innovation thrives, cultures intertwine, and the boundaries of fashion are endlessly redefined.

The fashion industry is a significant contributor to Indonesia’s economy, supporting over 4 million jobs, many of which come from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These MSMEs are the foundation of our economic growth, playing a crucial role in job creation, poverty alleviation, and boosting Indonesia’s exports. However, to truly thrive, our MSMEs in the fashion sector require more than just creativity—they need access to markets, capacity building, and strategic support to become competitive on the global stage.

Through the Indonesia Fashion Forward initiative, we are providing Indonesian fashion-preneurs with the necessary tools, mentorship, and resources to elevate their businesses. With eight remarkable Indonesian brands participating in Coterie New York, this program is a testament to our commitment to empowering our MSMEs. By bridging tradition with modern fashion, these designers not only showcase Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage but also enhance the global presence of our MSMEs. The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs is proud to support these initiatives, as we continue to strengthen the sector and pave the way for our fashion industry to succeed in international markets.

There is a huge gap between building a successful brand in Indonesia and penetrating the US market. Making it in New York requires a holistic, end-to-end preparation: good products that match the US market preferences, product and brand story that are robust and relevant, and the grit to continuously learn and innovate. Usually, brands are facing challenges in those areas.

Indonesia Fashion Forward is a collaborative effort that fills the gap perfectly. Designers are curated and trained by industry experts with extensive knowledge of the US market. We also work with US publishers to ensure that the designer’s story resonates with US audiences. All of it is carried out through collaboration between Jakarta Fashion Week and the Government of Indonesia — namely the Consulate General of Indonesia in New York and the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs.

As the creative economy subsector with the second biggest contribution to GDP and around 4 million work force in the industry, Indonesia has so much to offer to the world. I’m proud and glad that we’re taking the steps to actively support Indonesian fashion brands to enter the US market through this program. As the famous idiom goes “if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere” — the Consulate General of Indonesia in New York stands ready to support Indonesian brands to make it here!