Jakarta, 30 July 2025 — Tobatenun marked its seventh anniversary with UGARI, a programme whose name derives from the Batak Toba word for culture. More than a celebration of the brand's journey, UGARI reflects Tobatenun's enduring commitment to revitalising cultural heritage while advancing Indonesia's textile-based creative economy, particularly through Batak handwoven textiles. The occasion also marked the reopening of the expanded Tobatenun Studio & Gallery, housed within Sopo Del Tower in Jakarta, offering a more spacious and immersive environment for cultural exchange and creative exploration.
Driven by the spirit of collaboration and experimentation, UGARI presented contemporary interpretations of Batak handwoven textiles through a diversity of creative perspectives. Tobatenun collaborated with five Indonesian fashion designers and contemporary labels—Danjyo Hiyoji, Carmel Boutique, AMOTSYAMSURIMUDA, Qanagara, and Eridani—to create collections that honour traditional techniques while embracing modern design. The programme was supported by Paragon Group, Wings Group, Burju, and Manjusha.
The celebration commenced with UGARI: LUHUR on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, featuring a media gathering and symposium centred on Ulos Ragi Idup, one of the most technically intricate Batak handwoven textiles. During this session, Carmel Boutique and Eridani presented collections inspired by Ulos Ragi Idup and its derivative weavings, exploring the textile as a medium for contemporary fashion expression.
Continued on Thursday, 31 July 2025, with UGARI: BORNGIN, meaning night in the Batak Toba language. Designed with the warmth and intimacy of a housewarming gathering, the evening featured trunk shows by AMOTSYAMSURIMUDA, Qanagara, and Danjyo Hiyoji, presenting collections characterised by youthful, modern, and wearable silhouettes, including creative explorations of upcycled textile offcuts generated during the handweaving process.
As part of Tobatenun's ongoing commitment to public engagement and education, the UGARI Visual Exhibition was open to the public from 1–31 August 2025, every Monday to Friday. The exhibition showcased a curated selection of archival documentation, visual storytelling, and creative interpretations that traced Tobatenun's journey while celebrating the evolving aesthetics of Batak handwoven textiles.
"The reopening of the expanded Tobatenun Gallery & Studio is expected to further strengthen Tobatenun's narrative," said Kerri Na Basaria Pandjaitan, Chief Executive Officer of Toba Tenun Sejahtra. "We hope the public will gain a deeper understanding of Tobatenun's work alongside weaving artisans—from cultural revitalisation, research and natural dye development, to our personal and collective approach to empowering artisan communities."
As a social enterprise, Tobatenun is dedicated to preserving Batak cultural heritage through handwoven textiles, advancing sustainable fashion, and empowering women through Yayasan Rumah Komunitas Wastra. The foundation oversees two community-based initiatives in Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra—Jabu Bonang and Jabu Borna—which serve respectively as a creative weaving studio and a natural dye laboratory for artisans.