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BATIK

Batik clothing has revived somewhat in the turn of 21st century, due to the effort of Indonesian fashion designers to innovate batik by incorporating new colors, fabrics and patterns. Batik is a fashion item for many young people in Indonesia, such as a shirt, dress or scarf for casual wear, it is also acceptable for men to wear batik in office or as a replacement for jacket and tie at certain receptions. After the UNESCO recognition for Indonesian batik as intangible world heritage on October 2, 2009 Indonesian administration has asked Indonesian to wear batik on Friday, and wearing batik every Friday is encouraged in all government offices and private companies ever since. Batik had helped improve the small business local economy, batik sales in Indonesia had reached Rp. 3,9 trillion (US$ 436,8 million) in 2010, an increase from Rp. 2,5 trillion in 2006. The value of batik exports, meanwhile increased from $ 14,3 million in 2006 to $ 22,3 million in 2010.

Types and  Variations of Batik :

1. Javanese Kraton Batik (Javanese court Batik)

Javanese kraton (court) batik is the oldest batik tradition known in Java. Also known as Batik Pedalaman (inland batik) in contrast with Batik Pesisiran (coastal batik). The type of batik has earthy color tones such as black, indigo (tarum), brown, and dark yellow (sogan), sometimes against a white background. The motifs of traditional court batik have symbolic meanings. Some designs are restricted : larger motifs can only worn by royalty and certain motifs are not suitable for women, or for specific occasions (e.g. weddings).

The palace court (keraton) in 2 cities in Central Java are known for preserving and fostering batik traditions :

• Surakarta (Solo City) batik. Traditional Surakarta court batik is preserved and fostered by the Susuhunan and Mangkunegaran courts. The main areas that produce Solo batik are the Laweyan and Kauman districts of the city. Solo batik typically has sogan as the background color. Pasar Klewer near the Susuhunan palace is a retail trade center.
• Yogyakarta batik. Traditional Yogya batik is preserved and fostered by the Yogyakarta Sultanate and the Pakualam court. Usually Yogya batik has white as the background color. Fine batik is produced at kampung Taman district. Beringharjo market near Malioboro street is well known as a retail batik trade center in Yogyakarta.

2. Pesisir Batik (Coastal Batik)

Pesisir Batik is created and produced by several areas on the northern coast of Java and on Madura. As a consequence of maritim trading, the Pesisir Batik tradition was more open to foreign influences in textile design, coloring and motifs, in contrast to inland batik, which was relatively independent of outside influences. For example, Pesisir batik utilizes vivid colors and Chinese motifs such as clouds, phoenix, dragon, qilin, lotus, peony and floral patterns. 

• Pekalonga Batik. The most famous pesisir Batik production area is the town of Pekalongan in Central Java province, most thriving. batik Pekalongan was influenced by both Dutch-European and Chinese motifs, for example the buketan motifs was influenced by European flower bouquet.
• Cirebon Batik. Also known as Trusmi Batik because it is the primary production area. The most well known Cirebon batik motif is megamendung (rain cloud) that was used in the former Cirebon Kraton. This cloud motif shows Chinese influnce.
• Lasem Batik. Lasem Batik is characterized by a bright color called abang getih pithik (chicken blood red), Batik Lasem is heavily influenced by Chinese culture.
• Tuban Batik. batik gedog is the speciality of Tuban Batik, the batik was created from handmade tenun (woven) fabrics.
• Madura Batik. Maduranese Batik displays vibrant colors, such as yellow, red and green. Madura unique motifs for example pucuk tombak (spear tips), also various flora and fauna images.

(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik)