Source:https://beritajatim.com/mahasiswa-uc-angkat-batik-karya-disabilitas-ke-fashion-modern
UC Students Elevate Batik Designs by People with Disabilities to Modern Fashion
April 30, 2025
Surabaya (beritajatim.com) – Students of the Fashion Design and Business (FDB) Study Program at Ciputra University Surabaya have created batik by disabled children into a contemporary fashion collection.
This project is a collaboration with the Dmart Tithiek Tenger Foundation, a social organisation in Malang City that fosters batik art for children with special needs, specifically Malangan Mask Batik.
Led by lecturer Janet Teowarang, the students developed three batik fabrics created by artisans with disabilities into modern, miniature fashion designs. This project, part of the Fashion and Culture course, aims to combine social issues with design.
The process began with digitising a 2.5 x 1.2 meter batik fabric, then printing it with eco-friendly inks and creating a Barbie-style outfit inspired by global fashion history.
In addition to creating the clothing, the students redesigned the batik motifs to make them more relevant to the tastes of the younger generation without compromising local cultural identity. The work was presented live on Saturday, April 26, 2025, before Eko Hardiyanto, Chairman of Commission D of the Malang City Council (DPRD).
Janet added that the Dmart Foundation now has space to sell the batik artisans’ works in a shop within the Malang City DPRD Building.
“We hope that by adding value to this work, it will further increase the income earned by these disabled batik artisans,” he explained on Wednesday (April 30, 2025).
The three main collections presented were:
1. Vallysha Christian, Happy, and Jennifer Christella Wijaya created feminine 1940s-1950s-inspired clothing with A-line silhouettes, high-collared white tops, and classic accessories, showcasing a vintage aesthetic.
2. Gusti Agung Istri Krisna Kirana Kepakisan and Audriana Clarissa displayed a 70s feel with flared-leg pants and halter tops, combining contemporary Malang batik with a psychedelic bohemian style.
3. Rebecca Hagia Pranoto and Melanie Gunawan Puteri presented a distinctive 1950s-1960s skirt silhouette, modernised into a balloon skirt, complete with a sleeveless top and ribbon details, along with a mask batik motif.
The Chairman of the Dmart Tithiek Tenger Foundation, Djoko Rendy, also expressed his pride. He emphasised the importance of cross-community collaboration in building the self-confidence of children with disabilities.
“We are very proud to collaborate with students from Ciputra University Surabaya in the redesign of Batik Topeng Malang. This is a concrete example of how creativity and empowerment can be created through cross-community collaboration,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the artisans, Dimas Rachmadhani, also expressed his delight at seeing the designs. “I saw the batik designs were incredibly beautiful. My favourites are the batik designs from groups one and two. I love the colours and motifs,” he said.
The batik works of artisans with disabilities are also marketed through a dedicated shop located in the Malang City Council building. Janet hopes this added value will increase the artisans’ income and broaden appreciation for their work.
This initiative is a concrete example of how fashion education can serve as a tool for social transformation, combining aesthetics, culture, and empathy in a single impactful work. [ipl/ian]