Buleleng, Aug 20 (The Bali Herald) - The local government of Buleleng Regency in northern Bali officially launched a new signature woven textile design, the Purple Lotus motif endek, during a fashion showcase at the annual Buleleng Festival on Wednesday night.
The new design, known locally as Tenun Endek Motif Tunjung Ungu, was introduced by Wardhany Sutjidra, chairwoman of the Buleleng Regional National Handicrafts Council (Dekranasda), as part of a municipal effort to strengthen the local creative economy and preserve regional cultural heritage.
The ceremonial launch at the Praja Mandala Singa Ambara Raja complex featured a symbolic thread-spinning demonstration by Sutjidra, marking the formal addition of the purple lotus pattern to the district's cultural textile repertoire.
"Kegiatan ini merupakan bentuk komitmen Dekranasda Buleleng untuk terus memperkuat ekosistem industri kreatif lokal. Melalui panggung Bulfest, motif Tunjung Ungu dihadirkan dalam wajah yang lebih modern, elegan, dan adaptif terhadap tren busana terkini agar makin dicintai masyarakat dan generasi muda," Sutjidra said in her opening address.
The unveiling was anchored by a non-competitive fashion exhibition titled "Askara – Wastra Tunjung Ungu," where 48 local models presented 48 paired apparel sets before thousands of festival attendees. The displayed garments ranged from daily ready-to-wear attire to high-aesthetic fashion concepts, all incorporating the newly introduced lotus pattern designed by Sutjidra.
The collection resulted from a joint development initiative between the regency government, Dekranasda, and six local creative entities. The design partners included professional fashion labels Gede Yudi, Dins Hand Made, Ayu Windi, Diah Mode, and Pagi Motle, along with fashion design students from the Family Welfare Education program at Ganesha University of Education.
Demonstrating administrative support for the initiative, several senior Buleleng Regency officials took to the runway to model garments made from the new fabric. Participating leaders included the second assistant to the regional secretary, the head of the Department of Trade, Industry, Cooperatives, and Small and Medium Enterprises, the head of the Population and Civil Registration Agency, and the head of the Regional Research and Innovation Agency.
Local authorities expressed hope that integrating the new textile into official functions and everyday wear will increase market demand for traditional handwoven fabrics, creating sustainable economic opportunities for local weavers and micro-enterprises across the regency.
The fashion showcase took place on the second night of the six-day Buleleng Festival 2026, which runs through Aug. 23 in Singaraja. The festival serves as Buleleng's primary platform for arts, cultural heritage, and micro-business promotion, bringing together traditional performers, commercial vendors, and technology displays. (InfoPublik)