Indonesia Brings Southeast Asian Heritage to the Global Stage Through SEA Waves at Jakarta Fashion Week 2027

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Through 'SEA Waves' at the 18th Jakarta Fashion Week 2026, running from October 26 to November 1, 2026, Indonesia connects eleven Southeast Asian nations through fashion, textiles, and shared heritage. Centered around the theme 'City of New Lights,' JFW turns regional creativity into a powerful gateway for cultural diplomacy and global tourism.

SEA Waves presents two flagship programmes. The first, the Wave of Weave Installation,  opened on October 26, 2026, at the National Museum of Indonesia. Remains open to visitors until January 8, 2027, and was initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, the Indonesian Heritage Agency, Negeri Elok, and Jakarta Fashion Week. The installation celebrates shared regional craftsmanship and identity through three highlights:

1. Traditional Textiles & Weaving: Featuring 20 significant textile pieces from ten Southeast Asian nations, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste, highlighting the region's traditions of weaving, trade, and cultural exchange.
2. The Kebaya Showcase: Featuring five curated kebaya sets from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, celebrating the kebaya as UNESCO-recognised Intangible Cultural Heritage.
3. Gusti Nurul Special Exhibition: An extension of the installation presenting the heritage collection of Gusti Nurul from Mangkunegaran, comprising four kebaya sets, ten historic textiles, and personal accessories and archives.

The second flagship programme, the SEA Fashion Parade, will take place on November 1, 2026, at Pondok Indah Mall 3, Jakarta. It brings together designers from six Southeast Asian countries, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam, for two curated runway shows celebrating contemporary interpretations of regional identity.

Session 1: Rizman Ruzaini (Malaysia), THAT (Vietnam), and Natacha Van (Cambodia)
Session 2: TANDT (Thailand), GINLEE (Singapore), and Renz Reyes (Philippines)

"SEA Waves shows how cultural heritage inspires contemporary creativity, strengthening Jakarta's appeal as a regional hub for fashion and culture," said Hafiz Agung Rifai, Acting Deputy for Events' Organizer Development, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia.

Through initiatives such as SEA Waves, Indonesia invites international travellers to explore the stories behind its cultural heritage and experience Southeast Asia as a region connected by creativity, diversity, and shared inspiration.

For more updates and highlights on SEA Waves at Jakarta Fashion Week 2027, visit our official Instagram update.

Hafiz Agung Rifai
[email protected]

Photo Source Photo SEA WAVES 2026

SOURCE Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia