Models parading along a catwalk 3.6 kilometers long to the admiration of 350,000 spectators: Such is the nature of the Jember Fashion Carnival, Indonesia’s answer to Rio de Janeiro.
Once again the Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC) has brought the East Java city alive, with hundreds of clothes designers, both professional and amateur, presenting their alternative and creative designs, made from a range of materials.
From morning, the residents of the city, about 200 kilometers from Surabaya, started crowding onto the main road as music boomed out of a big sound system on the stage outside the Jember Regency government offices.
In a sports hall in Gunung Baru street, about 7 kilometers from the city center, hundreds of young children had serious expressions as they made up their faces in front of big mirrors stuck on the walls of the hall. Also there was Dynand Fariz, the JFC president.
“Please pay attention to the time,” the president shouted. “It’s almost 11 a.m. and the Marching Band must be ready first.”
The whole city was bustling with activity — especially the small hairdressing salons. When they were ready, carnival participants took their pedicabs, cars or even pickup trucks round to the back of the Jember Regency government office to make their final preparations.
They spruced up their makeup, readjusted their clothes blown about in the wind and once more went over the steps catwalk models would perform on the catwalk.
It was afternoon when hundred of JFC models began their parade, from Sultan Agung Street and to the sports building in Gajahmada Street, Kaliwates. As the main theme was “World Unity”, there were eight contingents: Ranah Minang (traditional homeland), Upper Ground, Animals/Plants, Off Life, Hard Soft, Container, Techno Eth and Rhythm.
Dynand Fariz said the JFC theme was inspired by world development, and sought to explore social, economic, cultural and political issues such as global warming and the food crisis.
“Because the fact is, the world must be united to overcome these problems,” he added.
Leading the opening was the marching band, which used the theme of a shield, inspired by the shield on the national Garuda Pancasila crest. Following them was the Ranah Minang contingent, which took its style from the Minangkabau region. Before the applause from the onlookers had died down, cheering erupted to welcome the members of the Upper Ground, whose clothing represented the extraordinary richness of nature.
“Animal/Plants symbolizes the balance of life — human and animal — which must also be given attention,” said Dynand in describing the third contingent.
The designs of those in the Off Life group were dominated by black, representing the JFC’s concerns about those people who are considered to have failed in the life of society. This group also made a theatrical presentation.
The theme Hard Soft addressed issues such as the terrorist bombings and war in many parts of the world. The violence inherent in this theme was symbolized through an army appearance, with white representing the softness.
The theme Container represented the efforts of those supporting the conditions of the free market economy, and the development of industry that one day may get out of control.
The inspiration for this, Dynand explained, was the “preparation and support by developed countries of developing nations”.
A different response — in the form of a rousing cheer — greeted the Techno Eth group, representing, as the name suggests, the changes and development of technology.
For the closing moments, the Rhythm contingent presented the different sounds and spirits of world musical cultures.
Organizing the JFC, now in its eighth year, is no mean feat for Dynand, the founder of the event and owner of fashion school, the JFC Institute. Not only does he have to maintain the energy to organize the event every year — including finding the funds — but he also has to look after the participants in online modeling.
“Although the number of participants keeps increasing, that also means that we have to keep teaching the same things to the beginners,” he said.
JFC staff members have racked up a large number of accolades and experience, both in Indonesia and abroad. The JFC has taken part in the World Scout Jamboree in London, the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations in Mumbai, the 2008 Shanghai Tourism Festival, Bali Fashion Week, the Kuta Karnival, the Solo Batik Carnival 1 and the Indonesian Cultural Products Week.
The JFC has also performed on the Trans7 TV show Empat Mata and took part in the 2008 Nusantara Culture Parade. It was also the Wardrobe Costume Finalist at the L-Men Contest in 2008 and 2009.“On one side, there is pride, on the other side is exhaustion,” Dynand laughed.
That matters little: He is determined to present spectacular events on an international level.
That’s hard to do, as Martha Tilaar, the owner of Sari Ayu who
was present at this year’s carnival, pointed out.
“This event is like presenting the skills of young designers in Indonesia,” she said.
Martha believes there should be further support of the JFC organization. “If it’s wanted, this kind of parade could be held all over Indonesia,” she said.
