UNS – The Art Craft Program at the Faculty of Arts and Design, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, hosted a General Lecture featuring R. Asyfa Fuadi, the owner of the Craft Denim brand, on Wednesday (6/11/2024). The event, held in the FSRD Auditorium, aimed to introduce innovations and the revitalization of traditional Pekalongan weaving with a modern twist. The lecture sought to give students insights into the importance of revitalizing and diversifying the textile industry in response to current market trends.

Prof. Dr. Sarwono, M.Sn., Interim Head of the Art Craft Program, opened the event by highlighting the significance of this session. “Mr. Asyfa Fuadi’s presence offers students a real-life example of how creative concepts can be applied to traditional woven fabrics, successfully reaching a broader market, especially among the younger generation,” Prof. Sarwono said.

Asyfa Fuadi shared his extensive experience and strong vision, detailing how Craft Denim works to revive Pekalongan weaving with innovative approaches while respecting traditional techniques and values.

He discussed various challenges faced by the ATBM (Non-Machine Weaving Tools) industry in the modern era, such as the reluctance of traditional weavers to update their ATBM settings, despite increasing competition from machine-woven textiles. To address this, Craft Denim focuses on workforce regeneration by involving young people in learning ATBM weaving techniques. The company provides training to create marketable products such as denim shirts and jackets, which have high commercial value.

Furthermore, Asyfa emphasized Craft Denim’s commitment to environmental sustainability, avoiding the use of chemical dyes. He conveyed a vital message to students and industry players about the importance of preserving the environment by not polluting it. “With support from academics, research, and the right technology, we can sustainably produce and store natural dyes,” Asyfa explained.

The lecture attracted enthusiastic participation from Art Craft students and lecturers eager to delve deeper into the opportunities and challenges of developing local woven products for the global market. It is hoped that the inspiration from Craft Denim will motivate young textile artisans and students to continue creating outstanding products with sustainable and competitive concepts.

HUMAS UNS