Agil Trisetiawan, Solo – The mayor of the Central Java city of Solo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, says that he does not have a problem if the Citayam Fashion Week is adopted in Solo city.
A number of regulations however must be followed and obeyed if the Citayam Fashion Week is to be adopted. Raka is asking that not all of the things that happen at Citayam Fashion Week in Jakarta be brought to Solo.
"Please. What's important is that it's polite, and orderly", Raka told Tribune Solo on Wednesday July 27.
Citayam Fashion Week, which uses a zebra crossing as the catwalk, is prohibited in Solo. This is because using zebra crossings could disturb other road users if it is turned into a catwalk.
"Just use the side of the road, not the middle of the road, it's important that it's orderly", he said.
Rika also highlighted concerns that Citayam Fashion Week, which is currently booming, not be infiltrated by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups in Solo.
This is because several parties which are keeping watch over Citayam Fashion Week in Jakarta have found that it has become a platform or arena for LGBT groups to show themselves.
"Don't let there be (LGBT) as well. Basically it should be orderly, the clothing polite, don't let it be like that", he said.
At heart, the Solo municipal government itself will support the creativity of young people in Solo and it is hoped that this youth creativity can become a new beacon to attract tourists and drive the wheels of the economy.
"We support the creativity of young people. We have seen what their enthusiasm is like, if they want to be proper don't do it in the middle of the road", he said.
The eldest son of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said that the municipal government does not have any problems with residents showing their creativity in the streets.
Moreover there are open places in Solo which can also be used by young people. "We have lots of places. Yes, (please) go ahead and use the. As you need. What's important is its orderly, polite clothing", he said in conclusion.
The clothing show trend on the streets ala Citayam Fashion Week has now begun to emerge in several other parts of the country.
The phenomena was begun by youths from Citayam who often hung out at the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) in Jakarta, which then transformed into a clothing show on the main streets.
Several other regional cities such as Bandung (West Java), Semarang, Madiun and Surabaya (East Java) have begun to follow the trend. Not wanting to be left behind, the trend will also be taken up by Solo residents.
The trend will also be realised during an event titled "Gladak Fashion Week" on Saturday July 30 on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman in Central Jakarta.
[Abridged translation by James Balowski. The second part of the article which repeated earlier remarks by Raka, the upcoming Gladak Fashion Week, debates on the Citayam Fashion weak and copyright issues was not translated. The original title of the article was "Gibran Ingatkan Adaptasi Citayam Fashion Week di Solo Jangan Dijadikan Ajang LGBT Unjuk Diri".]