Two collections bringing together traditional Indonesian textiles and French design approaches were presented at Première Classe Paris from 2 to 5 October 2026. GARUDA and AU LARGE emerged from collaborations between four Indonesian and French designers through PINTU Residency 2026, a program that connects designers with artisans to explore techniques, materials, and cultural contexts from both countries.
Before being introduced to international buyers and fashion industry professionals in Paris, the collections were first showcased at JF3 Fashion Festival 2026. Both were developed during a four-month residency in Indonesia, from April to July 2026, under the curation of Thresia Mareta, Pascaline Wilhelm, and Carol Meyer.
Bringing Designers and Artisans Together
PINTU Residency is part of PINTU Incubator, an initiative that encourages knowledge exchange and creative collaboration between Indonesian and French designers. While the 2025 edition brought French designers to work with Indonesian artisans, the 2026 program expanded its approach through creative pairing, directly connecting designers from both countries.
Through the program, Indonesian designers Beatrice Angelica and Gabriel Marcella collaborated with French designers Mickaël Nana and Lisa Rayar. They worked with artisans in Lombok and Mojokerto to learn textile techniques while gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural contexts behind the materials and skills they encountered.
For Thresia Mareta, Co-Initiator of PINTU Incubator and Founder of LAKON Indonesia, the residency gave designers an opportunity to reconsider familiar materials, skills, and cultural references from new perspectives.
“Residency is not only about learning techniques or producing a collection, but also about placing designers outside what they already know. When Indonesian and French designers work together, they bring different perspectives and experiences. Through this process, they can revisit materials, skills, and even cultures that may have long felt familiar, seeing them from a new perspective. For us, that is the value of a residency: the exchange opens up new ways for designers to see and create,” Thresia said.
GARUDA: Lombok Weaving in Contemporary Silhouettes
GARUDA is a 10-look collection of womenswear and menswear created by Beatrice Angelica and Mickaël Nana. Drawing inspiration from Indonesian photographic archives dating from the late 19th to the early 20th century, the collection translates historical visual references into contemporary designs.
Lombok’s tenun and songket textiles take center stage, combined with Western tailoring techniques. During the process, the designers also collaborated with local women artisans to develop custom textiles using traditional techniques.
The combination of materials and techniques offers a new approach to traditional textiles while preserving the craftsmanship of the artisans who produce them. GARUDA demonstrates how historical references and Indonesia’s textile heritage can be reinterpreted through silhouettes suited to contemporary fashion.
AU LARGE: Two Maritime Cultures in One Collection
While GARUDA draws on Indonesian visual archives, AU LARGE explores the connections between Indonesian and French maritime cultures. Developed by Gabriel Marcella and Lisa Rayar, the 11-look collection combines references to French sailor clothing with the coastal life of Java’s northern shores.
Sedekah Laut, a traditional sea-offering ceremony practiced by coastal communities, also serves as a source of inspiration. Its influence is expressed through the collection’s silhouettes, garment structures, and use of batik. The designers also developed a custom motif that combines the checks of Indonesian sarongs with the stripes associated with French maritime clothing.
Through these combinations, AU LARGE brings together two maritime traditions with distinct cultural backgrounds in a single design approach. The collection shows how cultural elements can serve as starting points for new explorations of form and pattern.
Opening Doors to the International Fashion Industry
The presentation of GARUDA and AU LARGE at Première Classe Paris formed part of PINTU Incubator’s efforts to expand Indonesian designers’ experience and networks within the international fashion industry. Beyond introducing their collections to buyers and industry professionals, the program gave participants an opportunity to better understand fashion ecosystems outside Indonesia.
The experience continued through Focus Week Paris, which brought together participants from the 2026 PINTU Incubator cohort. The program included workshops at fashion schools and visits to creative and cultural institutions across Paris.
“For us, bringing PINTU to Paris is not simply about introducing our work to international markets. Participants also need to see and understand how the fashion industry operates in other countries. Through Première Classe and Focus Week Paris, they can meet industry professionals and gain experiences that will help them develop their businesses,” said Soegianto Nagaria, Chairman of JF3 and Co-Initiator of PINTU Incubator.
In 2026, Yayasan PINTU Incubator Indonesia was also established as a foundation for the program’s future development. PINTU’s ecosystem comprises three programs: PINTU Incubator, PINTU Accelerator, and PINTU Residency.
From working alongside artisans in Lombok and Mojokerto to presenting their collections in Paris, GARUDA and AU LARGE demonstrate how textile knowledge and cultural heritage can inform contemporary design. The cross-country collaboration also creates opportunities for Indonesian designers to broaden their experience, build industry networks, and introduce their work to the international fashion community.
