Indonesian fashion designer Merdi Sihombing has taken the world by storm with his latest collection, "Ulos Sitolu Huta," which dazzled audiences at the Global Indigenous Runway 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. Supported by the Directorate General of Culture of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, Merdi joined other designers from around the world to showcase their work inspired by the cultural richness of Indonesia.

Merdi's latest collection pays homage to Batak culture, combining traditional ulos patterns and natural dyes with modern fashion designs. The result is a fresh and dynamic collection that can be worn by people of all generations for various occasions. According to Merdi, "Ulos is a symbol of blessings, love, and unity, in line with the Batak proverb 'Ijuk pangihot ni hodong, Ulos pangihot ni holong,' which means that if ijuk binds the palm leaves to the stem, then ulos binds love between people."

The Global Indigenous Runway is an independent fashion show that is part of the PAYPAL Melbourne Fashion Festival 2023. The event, which celebrates its tenth year, features nine First Nation designers from Australia and around the world. It combines music, dance, and stories from First Nations with fashion, and for the first time, Indonesian fashion designer Merdi Sihombing was welcomed as a representative of the Republic of Indonesia.

Tina Waru, CEO of Global Indigenous Management, praised Merdi's "Ulos Sitolu Huta" collection, describing it as a "spectacular celebration of color, texture, and luxurious fashion." She added that Merdi's clothing creates a sensation and leaves fashion enthusiasts amazed. "It is an honor to feature Merdi Sihombing on our platform with his creative spirit, which translates culture into clever fashion designs that have a business savvy touch. There is no doubt that this leading fashion figure representing Indonesia will continue to maintain a competitive advantage in the fashion industry in Australia," she said.

Hilmar Farid, Ph.D., Director General of Culture of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, praised Merdi's commitment to sustainable fashion that relies on traditional cultural richness and local community involvement. He highlighted Merdi's efforts to lift up Ulos weaving as part of a sustainable contemporary fashion conversation. Merdi visited artisan communities in villages in North Sumatra and empowered them in a series of intense work projects based on local potential. "This show is a reflection of his commitment to cultural perspective sustainable fashion," said Hilmar.

Merdi Sihombing's "Ulos Sitolu Huta" collection is a testament to his creativity, innovation, and commitment to sustainable fashion that promotes traditional cultural richness and local community involvement. His efforts have been recognized on the global stage, and there is no doubt that he will continue to make a significant impact in the fashion industry in the years to come.