Indonesian fashion took center stage at the prestigious Front Row Paris event on September 7, 2024. This year’s showcase featured twelve outfits created by three exceptionally talented students from Indonesian vocational schools: Marsya Septiani Putri of SMKN 6 Padang, Atikah Rahmadhani of SMKN 1 Kendal, and Alifah Nailah Salsabila of SMKN 8 Makassar.

Dr. Nahdiana, S.Pd., M.Pd., Acting Head of BBPPMPV Business and Tourism, under the Directorate General of Vocational Education, Kemendikbudristek RI, praised the selection of these schools as representatives of Indonesia. “The choice of SMKN 8 Makassar, SMKN 6 Padang, and SMKN 1 Kendal as our representatives is a testament to their excellence among other leading vocational schools in Indonesia,” she stated.

The participation of these three schools at Front Row Paris highlights the tangible synergy between vocational education and the fashion industry. Organized by the Indonesian Fashion Chamber (IFC), the event provided a platform for fashion students to showcase their skills and compete in the international fashion arena.

Marsya expressed her excitement after a press conference in Jakarta on August 23, “It still feels like a dream that we are going to Paris.”

The students were first brought together by BBPPMPV Business and Tourism to discuss their Paris collection. They named their collection “Dwipantara,” symbolizing the diversity of their origins from three different islands in Indonesia.

Alifah detailed the creation process, noting, “We completed twelve looks in two weeks, with each piece taking about three days to finish. Our collection is now ready for display.”

The collection features ready-to-wear pieces with a simply chic concept, integrating traditional fabrics from their respective regions. Atikah utilized lurik and ecoprint fabrics from Kendal, Marsya incorporated Silungkang songket from Padang, and Alifah chose Sarita fabric from Toraja in Makassar.

“Atikah added, “We focused on neutral colors popular among the youth, such as earth tones, aligning with the Resilience 2024-2025 fashion trends.”

Ali Charisma, Advisory Board Member of the Indonesian Fashion Chamber, commended the students for their craftsmanship. “Their sewing skills are impressive, and they understand the desires of their generation,” he said. He also noted that their products are competitively priced for the market.

The IFC continues to support Marsya, Atikah, and Alifah, enhancing their work's quality and creativity in line with IFC’s mission to equip vocational students with in-depth fashion business knowledge and the ability to produce competitive products.