Kristin Samah

“I used to be a big fan of mini skirt, pantyhose, legging, boots, all kinds of fashion, I have tried on.” Then, five years ago, Kristin Samah wanted to experiment. “I wanted to look different. So, I wore kebaya.”

To her surprise, her classy look, wrapped in kain kebaya had attracted positive responses. Many were mesmerized, could not imagine the trouble she had to go through. “The truth is, just be simple, kain kebaya can be made practical too.” Some thought Kristin was from Bali because Balinese women are famous for wearing kain kebaya on a daily basis.

Kristin felt challenged, she wanted to promote kain kebaya to be the pride wear for women in this country. This former Suara Pembaruan journalist had become even more dedicated to wearing kain kebaya. “For me, kebaya is no longer an outfit, it is my ideology. This is the symbol of the Indonesian woman who appreciates their culture, who is knowledgeable, and holds the sisterhood spirit.”

Her campaign spread. Three years have passed, together with some friends, she started the Kebaya, Coffee and Books Community (Komunitas Kebaya, Kopi dan Buku – KKB). Various events were held, from books discussion, workshop, and a roadshow to other cities. KKB held a discussion on healthy food in Bogor Botanical Garden, and as many as 600 people attended the event. “It was fully booked in one day.”

Kebaya is very suitable for any kinds of traditional fabrics, from batik, sarong, to woven fabric. From Sabang to Merauke. “Not only for Javanese people, but this is also Indonesia.”

How many fabric does her collection entail? “Waaah… so many. I lost count already.” For Kristin, whenever she purchase a fabric, she focuses on the story behind the fabric itself. There is persistence, tenacity, long and hard-working, and creativity behind a piece of fabric. “Once you listen to the story behind a handmade batik or woven fabric, the process, the details, the pattern, the philosophy… guaranteed we will have no heart to haggle.”

For example, in Pamekasan, Madura, there is a place where the tradition is for the women to draw the batik during their pregnancy period. While painting the batik, the mother will recite verses from Al-Qur’an, train their patience. When this batik was sold, it will be a provision for the mother in preparing for labour. “Amazing, isn’t it? That one piece of fabric is full of blessings, sprinkled with prayers day and night.”


#CeritaPerempuan
#PuanIndonesia
#WomenStory

PUBLISHED BY Puan Indonesia
Go Top