A crosswalk turned viral runway has become a site for Jakarta’s young fashionistas to express themselves, while drawing the disapproval of police in the traffic-clogged Indonesian capital.
The informal gathering in the city center has attracted fashion adventurers from all the suburbs of the metropolis, including Citayam, which has been called “Citayam Fashion Week”. And with their poses and struts shared on TikTok and Instagram, some Citayam pioneers have found instant fame, earning modeling jobs, endorsements, and an army of adoring fans.
“I feel like this is the place where I can express my style and create content. It’s so much fun because there are a lot of people and I can meet new friends here. I don’t even want to go home,” 18-year-old Ricat Al Fendri said.
He and some friends had taken a morning train to the central meeting point, tucked away between posh skyscrapers and trendy cafes, to flaunt their outfits of the day.
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Police, who previously moved to ban the use of the crosswalk as a runway, now shout regularly through a loudspeaker to direct crowds away from the street. But that doesn’t deter girls in wide-legged jeans and colorful sunglasses, and guys in leather jackets, fancy sneakers and faux fur coats, from filming their swagger for social media.
Some of the more enthusiastic teenagers have been caught sleeping on area sidewalks at night after missing the last train home.
“We have a right to hang out here. It’s a public space and for me it’s a great stress reliever from school exams,” Al Fendri said.
copycat crowds
The outfits on display have begun to draw crowds, and word of the phenomenon spreads by word of mouth in the megacity of 30 million people. Saera Wulan Sari, a 15-year-old from North Jakarta who makes a living selling clams, comes to watch the crowd with her friends.
“I’m always amazed at other people’s outfits, they’re so much cooler than me and their clothes are so stylish,” Sari said.
The gathering has been compared to a smaller version of Tokyo’s famed Harajuku fashion district.
The movement has become so popular that copycat meetings have spread to other parts of Java, Indonesia’s most populous island, in cities like Semarang and Bandung. And his viral fame has drawn the attention of celebrities and influencers, as well as public officials, including President Joko Widodo, who has said young people should be able to express themselves creatively.
‘Its beautiful’
Local brands are now starting to take notice and capitalize on the momentum by advertising their wares and backing the “stars” of the movement, providing free clothing, shoes and advertising.
“Teenagers are searching for their identity and need recognition and validation. These teens saw that the quick and easy way to win them is through likes and shares,” said Devie Rahmawati, a social affairs expert at the University of Indonesia. .
“Outcast teens used to resort to violence or illegal careers, now they’re choosing fashion. This is a positive thing and I think it’s beautiful.”
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For many, the burgeoning street fashion scene has also become an affordable setting for fashion experimentation, set against the backdrop of the city’s most affluent district.
Teenagers from poor households who cannot afford designer suits can join the gathering without being judged, said Khairul Badmi, a 22-year-old aspiring actor.
“To be a part of Citayam Fashion Week, you don’t have to wear certain outfits or brands that empty your wallet,” he said. – AFP
Source: www.thestar.com.my