Bling and Bangles at Jakarta Fashion Week

JFW brings out the richly imaginative collections of Jakarta’s fashion community

Black hose loops extending from shoulders, accentuating a chest harness that bares the midriff, paired with baggy leather jerkins?  Shaggy, furry frocks over pearls and a tank top, topped off by a leather falconer’s hood shielding the eyes? Burnt-orange and smoke-grey jackets tied together with a crimson cummerbund?

Yes, this is fashion. Specifically, men’s fashion at Jakarta Fashion Week.

It was the 2026 edition of JFW, and the fashion set descended upon this delirious, frantic city. Never mind the monsoon rains and the flash floods that sometimes trouble this slowly sinking metropolis—JFW chairman Svida Alisjahbana has an urgent mission to accomplish. Indonesia has to be recognized as a global powerhouse of fashion, and Alisjahbana was there to make that happen.

For seven exhilarating days, JFW staged multiple shows that displayed fantastic talents, celebrating everything hip and cool. Alisjahbana’s vision was clear: the fashion world has to recognize Indonesia for what it’s worth—and what a sumptuous treat it was for us. 

There was Julianto, with luminous gowns built from confetti and lace. There was Moral of the Story, with capes, rattan pony bags, and spiky trench coats. There was Rizkianto, all black and gold elegance miraculously crafted from tenun—a fabric crafted by indigenous people. All this creativity, bursting from Jakarta’s seams.

There was Saya, sending long flowy dresses and skirts down the the runway, all subdued elegance.One would be reminded of Oj Hofer in his prime, with softly draped satin and silk accentuating the curves, yet attaining the demure look of colegialas.  

For the adventurously feminine, there was Jeje, a label offering eggshell-blue tutus, see-through feathered skirts with white shorts, and fully embroidered crop tops. Panels of diaphanous cloth were bestowed with lace and embroidery, and then draped over elegant shoulders. For modesty, there were off-white separates that both concealed and enticed. Royal blue coral earrings completed the desirable—yet untouchable—look.

Online couture label Christie Basil brought out designs for the glamorous, sophisticated woman who has it all. With a TikTok account that has millions of followers, this label has pre-orders for dinner frocks worth thousands of euros, which could take months to arrive.

On her account, content creator and designer Christie Basil meticulously designs and chooses fabrics and accoutrements for her clientele while explaining her process and inspirations. For JFW, she unveiled golden bronze and deep maroon gowns offset with interesting accents like ornate headpieces or metallic shields to be worn over the chest. Clearly, Christie Basil isn’t afraid of innovation or judgment.

Fresh from a stint in Italy, Rizkianto worked with homegrown tenun cloth to pull off elegant evening wear. The seriously tailored, severe cuts only helped accentuate the curves, while glittery gold embroidery were paired with fabulous jewelry. It was almost as if a Spanish armada of doñas had taken to the runway, each determined to outshine the other. The effect was old-world glamour, and it was a no-brainer for fashion doyenne and JFW founder Svida Alisjahbana to pick his creation as her outfit du jour for the finale. 

Label ISSHU offered more edgy looks, with black boots stomping on the runway alongside dark one-piece dresses with studded colored stones. That bejeweled motif was repeated on enormous golden bangles and fingernails dripping with jeweled appliqués. The better to blind you with, my dear.

Men, in turn, wore gladiator black-paneled skirts edged with gold, or nicely tailored sheer blouses paired with patchwork yellow and green aprons—a funky way to grab attention. A disco dress punched with holes in the right seductive places, then sprinkled liberally with silver beads, was ISSHU’s truly wearable highlight of that collection.

A showdown between giants

JFW also featured a showdown among South East Asian designers, with local celebrity designer Francis Libiran hand-picked to represent the Philippines. Libiran showed off his collection alongside peers Frederick Lee from Singapore and Rizman Ruzaini from Malaysia. The resulting face-off was momentous, and really quite inspiring.

The finale, as always, was Dewi Fashion Knights, a runway program where local society and fashion arbiter Dewi magazine celebrates the best of the moment, the current fashion kingpin, the season’s latest rage. This is where the ultimate showdown happens, but with the wealth of talent, Fashion Knights for 2026 was split into two evenings, with six designers separated into two separate arenas.  

As with every curtain call for fashion shows, the audience left the runway in a daze, emerging from the too-brief spell spun by the designers. Yet that spell isn’t really broken, as the ideas, hopes and allusions take root, and serve as inspiration for the coming days.  

As we exited the JFW stage, blinking in the sudden harsh floodlights, we started pondering. What do we wear for next season? What new trinket to accessorize with? What hues to bask in? What shimmery fabric to drape? The ideas have taken root. And the magic remains.

 

 

Svida Alisjahbana’s vision was clear: the fashion world has to recognize Indonesia for what it’s worth—and what a sumptuous treat it was for us. 

 

 

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