The fashion industry has become one of the sectors with a significant influence on people's lifestyles, while also facing challenges in environmental preservation. As one of the industries with the potential to contribute to textile waste, the fashion industry is required to transform into a more eco-friendly and sustainable sector.
With the richness of traditional textiles (wastra) and the creativity of Small and Medium Industry (IKM) players, the fashion industry has great potential to apply sustainable industry concepts. This transformation not only supports the reduction of environmental impact but also creates new economic opportunities involving local communities, young designers, and IKM players across various regions. As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Industry, through the Directorate General of Small, Medium, and Miscellaneous Industries (IKMA), continues to pursue strategies for developing the fashion industry that support the growth of eco-friendly industries.
Director General of Small, Medium, and Miscellaneous Industries at the Ministry of Industry, Reni Yanita, stated that according to a report by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), national textile waste has reached 2.3 million tons per year and is projected to increase by up to 70 percent in the coming years if no intervention is made. Meanwhile, according to the Geneva Environment Network, globally, only 8 percent of textile fibers come from recycled materials, and textile-to-textile recycling practices are still very limited—under 1 percent.
“This situation highlights the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration, involving the government, businesses, communities, and the private sector to provide real solutions that accelerate the industry's transformation—not only contributing to national economic growth but also delivering positive impacts for the environment and society,” said Reni in her statement in Jakarta, Monday (2/9).
This initiative is being realized through various strategic programs, including building cross-sector collaborations involving the government, communities, creative entrepreneurs, and the private sector. One such implementation is through the Fashion and Craft Industry Empowerment Center (BPIFK) in collaboration with TRI Cycle in organizing the Sustainable Fashion Festival (SFF) 2025, held on August 2–3, 2025, at The Ambengan Tenten, Denpasar, Bali.
The festival received enthusiastic responses from various segments of society and served as a platform for education, creativity, and concrete action toward sustainable fashion. During the two-day event, SFF 2025 attracted 866 visitors. Carrying the theme “Celebrate the Better Fashion,” the festival featured various inspiring programs, including a fashion show from eight sustainable brands, an exhibition of 17 winning pieces from the Indonesia Fashion and Craft Award (IFCA), as well as creative workshops such as eco-printing, plastic fusion, and crochet.
SFF also hosted three educational talk show sessions with more than 120 participants, a Repair Corner with a local sewing community, and a Clothes Swap that collected 760 kilograms of second-hand clothing. Meanwhile, the IKM Bazaar featured 39 brands from Bali, Java, Yogyakarta, Lampung, Papua, and Jakarta, generating over IDR 58 million in total sales. Notably, the SINI BISA Clinic also gained positive attention by offering business legality consultations for IKM fashion players, covering areas like Business Identification Numbers (NIB), Industrial Business Permits (SIINas), and Domestic Component Levels (TKDN IK).
Reni noted that the public's and IKM players’ enthusiasm for the festival proves the growing interest in sustainable fashion. She emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum so it can continue to grow and create a broad impact for local industry players.
“Seeing the enthusiasm at SFF 2025, we are optimistic that the Indonesian fashion industry has a bright future with a sustainable industry approach. We hope this festival marks the beginning of building a more responsible, inclusive, and globally competitive fashion ecosystem,” said Reni.
Head of the Fashion and Craft Industry Empowerment Center (BPIFK), Dickie Sulistya Aprilyanto, added that the festival also marked the launch of two new initiatives by TRI Cycle—a graduate of the 2018 BPIFK Creative Business Incubator program—namely Rekynd Hub and Brickini. This launch further established SFF 2025 as a hub for community-based sustainability innovation.
“These two initiatives not only offer creative solutions for managing textile waste but also educate the public to value clothing for its function and sustainability, rather than simply following trends,” said Dickie.
Dickie explained that Rekynd Hub was introduced as a textile management platform with a textile circularity concept, where visitors can donate used clothing, upcycle it, and purchase locally-sourced (non-imported) preloved clothes using a unique weight-based system. Meanwhile, Brickini is the result of a collaboration between TRI Cycle and Parongpong Raw Lab, which repurposes swimwear waste from Bali-based swimwear producers.
“We want to encourage people to see clothing not just as short-term consumer products, but as assets that can be re-empowered, given new value, and help reduce textile waste,” concluded Dickie.
Source : Minsitry of Industry website