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Friday, March 26, 2010

Adjie prepares batik clothes for Obama’s visit

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 03/26/2010 8:31 AM

JAKARTA: Fashion designer Adjie Notonegoro has prepared batik clothes for US President Barack Obama and the first lady Michelle Obama as a gift for their long-awaited visit to Indonesia in June.

Adjie, who has also designed batik shirts for former US president Bill Clinton, Cuban leader Fidel Castro and former United Nations’ Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said on Wednesday that he had used the finest silk and meticulous method of batik hand painting.

“I’ve prepared special gifts for Obama’s visit: two batik shirts, two jackets for Obama and his wife and a skirt for Barack Obama’s wife,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.

“I’ve confirmed with the palace protocol division and they have given me permission [to make those gifts],” Adjie said.

In 2009, UNESCO officially declared Indonesia’s batik — a traditional wax-resistant dyeing technique used on textiles — as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

Adjie added he had used pictures of the president to estimate his measurements. “The White House did not send clothes measurement. I can make good enough estimates from pictures of him,” he said.

“I used the best silk and hand painted batik. I chose the patterns. It’s definitely thumbs up!” he said, laughing. Adjie refused to disclose the price of his designs for Obama. “It’s a gift so it’s priceless,” he said with a laugh. — JP

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