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BATIK SEMAR HISTORY

Batik as one of Indonesian Culture heritages is an art work belongs to Indonesia. Through Batik, we could learn plenty of life values. The design patterns are not made as a coincidence. In every pattern of Batik there are praises, words and stories which could inspire our life. As one of famous Batik manufactures in Indonesia, BATIK SEMAR never stops exploring the pride of this mas­terpiece. BATIK SEMAR is one of Indonesian biggest batik manufacturers established in 1947 by Kasigit family in Solo where traditional clothing is very famous. The family wants to maintain the Indonesian art by running this Batik business . Batik is an art work that needs lots of skills to create. At first, BATIK SEMAR was known as BATIK BODRONOYO. It was changed to BATIK SEMAR in order to increase the popularity in the society since they know Semar is a highly well-known person in an ancient Indonesian puppet "Wayang" and honored as "BATARA ISMAYA" the wisest servant of a 5 knight family called Pandawa.

For the company, SEMAR is a meaningful word and it stands for:

* S       = Sarwi                - Together

* E       = Ening                - Holy

* M      = Marsudi            - Struggling

* A       = Ajuning             - Development

* R       = Rasa                 - Art

The meaning is struggling continuously to develop 'batik' in a right manner and helping to maintain the culture in the real world. When It was first established, BATIK SEMAR only produced 'batik tulis', batik that was hand made.

Because of the high production cost, only the middle and high class people could purchase this batik. This condition forced the company to produce a less expensive batik. In 1952, the company released a stamped batik made by stamping a particular batik style to cloth. 1974 was a new era where Printed batik had emerged as the most popular batik cloth, due to   cheap and easy production process. By this new type of batik, BATIK SEMAR could deve­lop fast and produce many more varieties of clothes and colors. Besides being a profit­able company, BATIK SEMAR also concerned with unemployed society by creating a lot of job opportunities for them. BATIK SEMAR has involved in lots of fashion shows in many cities in Indonesia with a hope that batik will be more famous for Indonesian society.

NOW...

BATIK SEMAR has already well-known as one of the finest Batik companies in Indonesia. We have a better retail and distribution system. Our production unit consists of Printing and Garment Factories, Hand-made Batik and Stamped Batik factories. While our retail and distribution system consists of more than 40 retail outlets, and more than 150 stores all over Indonesia. We sell around 10.000 pieces of Batik clothes every month, 120,000 pieces annually.

VALUE OF OUR BATIK

Our brand nowadays has represented a high quality, art design and the originality of Indonesian Batik. In every Batik cloth we produce we always give the touch of arts, praises and stories behind the pattern. We've employed skillful and experienced designers and pattern makers in exploring Indonesian culture and art. Our Batik is not only a Batik, it is more than the pride of Batik.

Appearing Pretty with Varieties of Batik Motifs

No hesitance to perform in Batik clothes nowadays since many models of batik blouses, pants or dresses, can make you appear enchanting in every occasion. Batik outfits, Batik clothes with many kinds of model are continuously developing. They look stylish and modern. Batik motif is mostly influenced by other countries so models of batik clothes, or batik outfits vary very much, for instance, a traditional or modern batik from India, China, and Holland. Batik with red based color was formerly influenced very much by the Chinese.

Batik is also suitable for pants or trousers. Palazzo batik is very convenient to wear as casual, especially when it is contrasted with a loose shirt of peach color.  A balloon model of blue batik shorts can show your long legs. Impression of relax is shown from the mode of batik in small flower motif at a loose blouse with ¾ sleeves which goes well with any jeans. The soft color of green leaves goes well to those having a clear skin. Batik shops and batik outlets (including online batik seller) is now competing to find the best batik. Brownish cream of polka dots and flowers motives are sweet and natural because of their small motives. A Batik blouse without sleeves in red can be combined with a skirt with complete ornaments.

So now batik is not only for formal outfits but can also help you appear trendy in the informal events. Have a nice choice of batik models which are suitable for you and keep loving Indonesian products

      

Batik Semar – a cultural heritage typical of Solo

Semar, is a familiar name, especially for those of Javanese descents. If you are one of the lovers of classic Batik motifs with dark brown color, Batik Semar can be your alternative choice to buy some varieties of batik clothing

Batik Semar that determines itself with its typical of Solo, could be regarded successful with 36 branch offices in more than 23 cities all over Indonesia

This batik manufacturer has been established by Kasigit family since 1947. Besides aiming to develop the batik business, the other goal is to maintain the art, one of Indonesian cultural heritages

At first Batik Semar Manufacturer produced batik named Batik Bodronoyo, the other name of  Semar himself. However, the name Semar was more well-known among the Javanese, so it was used as a new trade mark in 1966.

The choice name of Batik Semar is a proper reason since Semar was a highly well-known person in an ancient Indonesian puppet called “Pewayangan, who was admitted as “Batara Ismaya” and became the wisest servant of  Pandawa family. Taking the wisdom from the story, the choice of branded name was fallen to the figure first found in the literary work during Majapahit Kingdom, entitled Sudamala.

For the company, SEMAR is a meaningful word and it stands for:

S          = Sarwi            - Together

E          = Ening           - Holy

M         = Marsudi        - Struggling

A         = Ajuning        - Development

R         = Rasa             - Art

In general, Semar means a sincere heart having never ending struggle to develop batik products

At first, Batik Semar only produced hand-made batik for middle and high level society, but in order to develop the products better and make the price reachable by all level society, Batik Semar developed batik with stamped Batik and combination Batik in 1972

The motifs of Batik produced by Batik Semar is not only limited in motifs from Solo but also from Jogja, Pekalongan, Cirebon, and Laseman.

Technique of Batik was also developing, in 1972 new technique in batik called batik printing came out. To follow this development, Batik Semar diversified its products in mode, motifs and color. For selling them, Batik Semar has developed the distribution system through the retailer shops and branches in some big cities in Indonesian and abroad like in America, Europe, Australia, and some Asian countries

Besides garments, Batik Semar also offers many kinds of cloth and motifs of scarves. Even you can get a spandex batik which is very famous for the customers. Batik Semar is also a made to order company especially for detailer from domestic or foreign companies. Batik Semar also has Batik collections of premium material like silk for some high class people. Although still dominated by the formal men clothing, Batik Semar keeps updating making the newest model of clothing.

Tips how to take care of the color of Batik

This is important to know because the natural color on hand-made batik doesn’t use any chemical substances in dyeing process.

Here is the way to treat batik with natural color:

ü  Use any shampoo to soak Batik clothing in water or you can use special soap for batik available in the market

ü  Do not wash any batik clothing in a washing machine

ü  Do not expose Batik clothing in a direct sunshine

ü  If you want to give softener, do not spray it directly to the cloth. Cover the clothes with thin paper first then spray the liquid there. And it is recommended not to spray the deodorant on the clothes

ü  Next you can iron the Batik clothing which is still covered. Do not iron the cloth directly or your batik color will be fade easily

 

Nelson Mandela Promoted Batik

By Retty N. Hakim

Many newspapers in Jakarta wrote an article about the birthday of world figure from South Africa, Nelson Mandela. It was his 90^th birthday on 18 July 2008. Of course, there were many mass media that covered Mandela’s birthday. He is known as a Madiba because he is the first Negro president. The grand launching of Nelson Mandela coin and stamps was an interesting event to cover.

I myself was interested more in the batik clothes Mandela was wearing. This kind of clothes covered him on his poster, on the stamps and on his birthday party. It seemed how he tried to promote the value of South African Batik. The batik clothes and him are identical so that some people call batik is Madiba’s Shirt. This mark is of course because Nelson Mandela is fond of wearing batik in the formal or informal events he joined.

According to the research, there was a culture relation between South Africa with Indonesia because of migration process. No wonder if batik becomes one of cultural values in South Africa, even the Africaans, one of eleven official languages has a closed relationship with Malayan language. That’s what I read on Dr. Ron Witton’s research, the Australian researcher who once made a research on the relation between Africaans with Malayan languages.

I have never specially learned on how batik came into Africa but in the development of batik with African designs as you see in this port, no wonder if later on Not only Indonesian or Malaysian but also Africa that can have pride of batik. Even in this global era, it will be possible if some day Batik will be the official clothes in the international events…..won’t you join to promote it?! 

Trend of Profitable Batik Business 

In the early of 2008, purple was a trend color of 2008. The people judged that the purple is identical with cool color. In the middle of 2008, batik started blooming. Batik began to shift from an official clothing to a casual one. Government and private offices make batik compulsory for the employees to wear on Friday so that it’s a common sight to see many people wear batik with various styles everywhere. Batik as one of Indonesian glorious heritages is charisma of fashion treasure which is expected to be able to come out in the international market. Batik is a means to attract foreign tourists in the government program” Visit Indonesia Year 2008”

We have known for long that Batik craft which comes from the area of batik centre such as Pekalongan, Jogjakarta, Solo, Cirebon. Even we could get batik from Sumatera. Some entrepeneurs are interested to manage this batik business. Several shopping centers in Jakarta like Plaza Semanggi, held Batik exhibition in their ground floors. The price offered was ranging from 100 – 400 per piece. Besides, Batik outlets such as Batik Keris, Danarhadi or Terang Bulan are crowded of customers every day.

It seemed not only high level shopping center that sold batik but the demand of batik in Tanah Abang shopping center, the center of cheap textile wholesaler, increases continually. Generally, some of the traders in Tanah Abang produce their batik garment and some distribute batik from Jogja, Solo, or Pekalongan. From my investigation, I found that Jogjakarta is one of the biggest suppliers

Batik in Beringharjo Market is offered ranges from 30.000 to 100.000 per piece. Batik “Srimbit” which is made for an upper part of a couple clothes, or people call it Batik “Mami Papi” offered only in Rp.100.000. It is a fantastic price compared to the one offered by the malls in Jakarta. In addition, if we buy at least 12 pieces, we can have the price reduced. Recently Batik is not monotonous clothes, the kinds of batik which vary in mode or style, from formal to the informal ones such as shirt, blouse, or with tufton the waist, up to a pajamas make it have many fans

According to one of Batik sellers in Beringharjo Market, the demands of batik from Jakarta, Surabaya, Padang and Kalimantan were increasing in March 2008. At first, this is just for a souvenir from Jogja but later it became bigger in needs so that the customers bought them in a large quantity and began to regard as a potential business media.

The profit they could get ranges from Rp. 4.000 – Rp. 15.000 per piece. Imagine if we could sell up to 100 pieces in a day, the profit we could get is around Rp. 800.000. Some batik sellers took aim of an elite housing complex in Jakarta by a direct selling. By this way of selling, they could get bigger profits, about 2-3 times from their capital. Isn’t it interesting to do? Is there anyone interested in this business??