Kebaya, the Indonesian Women Traditional Costume

Hello everyone!!!

How I miss posting! sorry for the silent on my blog- am still busy catching deadlines here, many of my blog post updates queuing on my draft now, I wish I could finish them asap. Ugh

Anyway I was googling and suddenly Kartini image popped up.

Who the heck is Kartini you asked? well, Kartini is an Indonesia national heroine. She is known as a pioneer in the area of women's right for native Indonesians ha.

Take a look at this lady spotted at Singapore airport. Uh-oh. She seems know who's Kartini is and btw, that's one hell of a cool tee, lady!!!

 source: http://archive.kaskus.us/thread/2473084

Well, I have to say Kartini or sometimes well known as Raden Ajeng Kartini is indeed an inspiring woman and should be an interesting topic but what catch me the most when I saw her picture below is the Kebaya she is wearing.

 Raden Ajeng Kartini with his husband Raden Adipati Joyodiningrat

My memory flashed back to my long time best friend's sister wedding ceremony where I was asked to be one of her bridesmaid and so I wore the Kebaya. *BLUSH*
 
Derived from Arabic word, kaba means "clothing" and introduce to Indonesia via Portuguese language. Some say Kabaya was originated in the Middle East but there's argue that it may have come from nearby China.

First worn in Indonesia at some time during 15th and 16th centuries. Spread by one island and ethnic group to another which its own regional variation this garment was made uniquely in Indonesia with its quick diffusion of the use of Kebaya.

During the last century, the form of Kebaya relatively unchanged but its function and its meaning has seen major changes in colonial and post-colonial Indonesia.

Through a representation linking of Kebaya to the 19th century proto-feminist figure, Raden Ajeng Kartini, Kebaya has come to symbolize the emancipation of women in Indonesia.

Kebaya took a role as the formal dress for European in the country after Dutch colonization,
 
There's a period during 19th century and prior to the Nationalist movement of the early 20th centuries when Kebaya was being worn by Indonesian, Eurasian and European woman alike.

Variants of the basic costume was created as distinguishing class and status was important at that time; The kebaya constructed of silk, velvet and brocade were belong to Javanese royalty and commoner class of Javanese woman wore figured cottons; While the Dutch women preferred a shorter white kebaya , the Eurasian women was of white cotton trimmed with handmade European lace during the day and of black silk in the evening.

However, with the arise of the nationalist struggle in Indonesia in 1920s, Kebaya had become associated with Indonesian nationalism for the European colonizers and because it was identified with typical Indonesian attire, European woman stopped wearing the kebaya.

Educated Indonesia Womanen prisoners-of-war chose to wear kain-kebaya rather than the western dress allocated to them as prison dress during the period of the Japanese occupation of Indonesia. In the situation where a different set of political condition  and to assert political position and differentiating from European woman that were also prisoners-of-war, woman employed a cultural code of traditional dress as shown by the only woman in attendance during the Proclamation of Independence by President Sukarno on August 17, 1945, Ibu Trimutri who wore kain kebaya. The transform of Kebaya from mere traditional dress was helped by this image, elevating kebaya to the status of national dress for Indonesian woman.

Wide range of woman wearing Kebaya in Indonesia today. Its a beautiful garment that Indonesia woman proud to wear, a symbol of Indonesia cultural history which represent national symbolism as well as high fashion.

Here's are the beauty of Modern Kebaya created by Indonesian designers  that my eyes just cant denied. The hand embroidered detailing and beading really such a work of art which captured beautifully as well by some Indonesian photographers also view of interesting pics of Indonesian celebrities and  ladies wearing Kebaya.
All pics were found on the web. Enjoy!

 Photo by KEVIN PINARDI

 Design by INAR

Design by ANNE AVANTIE

NADINE CANDRAWINATA on ANNE AVANTIE

 

Design by BAYU HERALDI

WEB

AGNES MONICA

OlA RAMLAN

Looking gorgeous ladies wearing kebaya

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/komangmertana/4532972622/in/photostream/
International surfers wearing Kebaya celebrating Kartini's Day in Bali

Viola my update at for your fashion feed here at Mignonesia.

Have a blast day today, Fashion Bunnies! Dita is signing off . Take care! XOXOXO






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Source:
Reading the Kebaya by Victoria Cattoni
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kebaya
http://prestigeinar.com/  
Anne Avantie
Darwis triadi
Kevin Pinardi
Google
Flickr