Kawan Lama Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to cultural preservation and community empowerment by bringing the traditional Dayak Iban weaving from Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, to Jakarta Fashion Week (JFW) 2026 on 29 October 2025. The woven fabric was showcased as part of “LIMINAL”, a presentation by Cita Tenun Indonesia (CTI) in collaboration with four renowned Indonesian designers, including Wilsen Willim. In his collection, Wilsen presented twelve designs that combined modern aesthetics with Dayak Iban woven fabrics created through the Aram Bekelala Tenun Iban program by Kawan Lama Foundation — an initiative focused on preserving cultural heritage while strengthening the role of women in local communities.
The program is carried out across four villages in Kapuas Hulu, emphasizing training in weaving techniques, regenerating young weavers, and developing patterns and natural dyes based on local resources. In the “LIMINAL” collection, Dayak Iban fabrics are harmoniously blended with contemporary materials, reflecting a balance between the elegance of cultural heritage and the power of modern design. This symbolizes how tradition and innovation can coexist, ensuring that cultural heritage does not remain in the past, but continues to evolve and find new, relevant expressions in the present day.
Tasya Widyakrisnadi, Chairperson of Kawan Lama Foundation, stated, “This collaboration reflects how cultural preservation can go hand in hand with innovation. By combining Dayak Iban woven fabrics with contemporary materials, we aim to show that tradition and modernity can enrich one another. Behind this beauty lies the story of women weavers who, with dedication and pride, continue to uphold noble values while adapting to changing times — bringing to life a spirit of preservation that is vibrant, dynamic, and meaningful for today’s and future generations.”
For Kawan Lama Foundation, this achievement is not an endpoint, but part of a continuous journey toward community self-reliance. Through a long-term approach, the foundation remains focused on capacity building, regeneration of young weavers, and sustainable use of local resources. The presence of products from Kawan Lama Foundation’s program at JFW 2026 represents a tangible step in connecting community empowerment with the national creative ecosystem — opening new economic opportunities without losing the cultural roots that inspire them.
As part of its sustainability commitment, woven fabrics produced under the Aram Bekelala Tenun Iban program will also be available at Pendopo, home to over 300 MSMEs under the Kawan Lama Group. Pendopo plays a vital role as a bridge enabling the creation of a circular economy within the program — ensuring that the weavers’ work extends beyond empowerment activities to generate real economic value through access to modern retail markets. With this model, every purchase not only appreciates the beauty of local culture but also directly contributes to the sustainability of artisan communities and the preservation of the weaving tradition in Kapuas Hulu.
“This process is not merely about creating beautiful fabrics, it is about weaving back the confidence of the women behind them. Each thread carries a story of perseverance, collaboration, and hope for a better future. We envision this program as a space where tradition continues to grow, thrive, and bring meaningful benefits — from local communities to Indonesia’s creative industry as a whole,” Tasya concluded.
