JFC at CAEXPO China: Introducing Indonesia Through Costumes

Nanning, China - September 2025

The China ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) is one of Asia’s most prestigious trade, culture, and diplomacy events. A grand meeting point where innovation meets tradition, and where nations proudly present their identity on a global stage. On September 17-21, 2025, Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) had the honor of representing Indonesia in this international celebration. Not through words, but through the universal language of costume and culture.

Official Archive of Indonesian Comittee

👘 Walking Artworks, Woven With Identity

When the JFC delegation took the stage in Nanning, we didn’t just bring fabric. We brought stories.

From the elegance of Banjar and the vibrancy of Minang, to the powerful presence of Garuda and the intricate poetry of Wayang, each costume we showcased carried a piece of Indonesia’s heart.

Our cultural wardrobe for CAEXPO 2025 featured:

• Banjar – regal and graceful, echoing the spirit of South Kalimantan

• Allograph NTT – celebrating the woven motifs and geometric beauty of East Nusa Tenggara

• Pinisi – a tribute to Indonesia’s maritime pride

• Sate & Sasando – playful, surprising, and rooted in culinary and musical heritage

• Garuda & Wayang – symbols of myth, power, and philosophical depth

• Minang – bold with gold, telling stories of matriarchal pride and architectural harmony

  

  Official Archive of Indonesian Comittee

And among them stood the unexpected piece: The Great Wall of China, reimagined as a JFC costume.

Yes, we brought their own icon, transformed with the same artistic integrity and craftsmanship we give to our national symbols, as a form of tribute, and as a bridge of mutual admiration.

Official Archive of JFC

🌏 A Cultural Mission That Moves People

JFC came to Nanning with one mission: to introduce Indonesian culture not through exhibitions, but through living, moving art.

And the response?

Extraordinary!

Crowds gathered. Cameras clicked. Children pointed. Locals whispered in awe. Some even followed us, eager to get closer, to understand, to feel.

The sparkle of the gold. The way the fabrics flowed. The complexity of headpieces, it wasn’t just a parade, it was a shared moment of cultural curiosity and admiration.

In that moment, JFC wasn't just representing Indonesia. We were connecting two worlds, Indonesia and China through costume, creativity, and mutual respect.

Official Archive of Indonesian Comittee

🕊️ Fashion as Diplomacy

Our presence at CAEXPO was more than a performance. It was proof that culture travels, and that fashion, when rooted in heritage, can be a tool of diplomacy as powerful as any speech.

To the people of Nanning, thank you for your warm welcome. To Indonesia, we proudly carried your colors. And to the world, we are just getting started.