Prominent fashion designer BIYAN showcased his special Humba Hammu collection at THE DHARMAWANGSA HOTEL Jakarta, exhibiting the richness of Sumbanese fabric heritage.

Biyan Wanaatmadja admits it is his current infatuation for Sumbanese indigenous fabric that brings him to creating almost 100 looks for his latest collection, Humba Hammu. The collection’s name originated from Sumbanese language meaning “Beautiful Sumba”. This time, Biyan works with every kind of indigenous cloth spreading around the island of Sumba.

The London College of Fashion alumnus experimented with Sumbanese tenun and turned them into base material for long gowns and shirts. He also mixed tenun with sundry materials such as patchwork, embroidery, beading, fringe, and knit works. The pastoral vibe of tenun looks majestic with a combination with luxury goods like jacquard and silk lame, as seen in some of the coats, outerwear, and blouses.

Despite the contemporary manifestation of Sumbanese fabric heritage in his Humba Hammu collection, Biyan expanded the borders by applying authentic, megalithic pieces of Sumbanese cloth to preserve its existence. Behind his creativity, he works with architect Yori Antar and Bank Indonesia to build a knitting studio for the craftsmen to create, preserve, and share the beauty of Sumbanese ikat heritage.

PHOTOS Courtesy by BIYAN