Fostering young fashion talent while building fresh creative partnerships for the future

On May 28, 2025, in celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and France, the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, along with her delegation, visited the Traditional Kudus House at Bentara Budaya. This special event was organized by the Institut Français d’Indonésie (IFI), PINTU Incubator, and Gramedia from the Kompas Gramedia Group as the host. The Traditional Kudus House, a symbol of Indonesia’s living cultural and architectural heritage, provided the perfect setting to celebrate the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

The main focus of the event was the PINTU Incubator, a bilateral program launched in 2022 to support the development of young fashion designers from Indonesia and France. Through this program, young designers receive intensive mentoring, cultural exchange, and networking opportunities with experts and creative institutions from both countries. To date, PINTU has received more than 10,000 applicants, selecting 51 participants and involving 86 mentors, including 33 from France. In 2025, the program will launch its first residency as a space for deeper collaboration and ongoing cultural dialogue.

The event began with an introductory video about the PINTU Incubator, followed by an introduction session with three program representatives. This was succeeded by a presentation of the book Ode to Indonesian Culture, which highlights living cultural figures in Indonesia, as well as a batik presentation by two renowned batik masters, Dudung Aliesjahbana and Cahyo.

This historic moment was also marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PINTU Incubator and École Duperré Paris, a prestigious French institution for arts and fashion education. The signing was conducted by Thresia Mareta, Co-founder of PINTU Incubator, and Alain Soreil, Director of École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués Duperré, witnessed by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and JF3 Chairman Soegianto Nagaria. This cooperation represents a strategic step to expand international collaboration in education, culture, and the fashion industry through student exchanges, residency programs, and the development of creative projects involving young designers from both Indonesia and France.

The event concluded with a gamelan performance by the Kompas team as a tribute to traditional Indonesian music, which once inspired the French composer Claude Debussy. The presence of prominent Indonesian arts and culture figures such as Slamet Rahardjo, Jajang C. Noer, and composer Addie M.S. enriched the occasion.

Thresia Mareta emphasized, “This program is not just cultural diplomacy; it is how we grow together. Through PINTU, Indonesia and France not only preserve cultural heritage but also nurture a new generation of creators rooted in culture, dialogue, and mutual respect.”

In celebrating 75 years of enduring friendship, this bilateral collaboration proves that it can drive cultural innovation and strengthen the creative industry for the future.

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