Jakarta, ThedailyID — JF3 Fashion Festival is strengthening Indonesia’s fashion ecosystem by preparing the next generation of designers through its Future Fashion Designer (FFD) 2026 program. The initiative equips emerging talents with practical industry experience while promoting creativity, resilience, and technical excellence.
This year’s program carries the theme “Recrafted: Shaping the Future.” JF3 aims to develop designers who can not only create compelling collections but also adapt to the demands of the modern fashion industry.
JF3 Fashion Festival Chairman Soegianto Nagaria said talent regeneration remains essential for the future of Indonesia’s fashion sector.
“Through Future Fashion Designer, we want to create a platform where young designers can test their abilities, build confidence, and prepare themselves for an industry that continues to evolve,” he said.
JF3 organized the program in collaboration with the Susan Budihardjo Fashion Forward Institute. The competition selected fashion school graduates from across Indonesia before choosing eight finalists for a 14-day intensive incubation program from May 12 to May 26.
During the program, participants completed five fashion collections based on different creative briefs. Each challenge required designers to complete the entire professional process, including concept research, material selection, budgeting, pattern making, production, styling, and final presentations.
The five challenges—Prototype, The Curve, Re’Heritage, Multifunction, and Opposite—tested participants’ creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. Judges evaluated production quality, work management, consistency, and execution rather than visual creativity alone.
A panel of 12 fashion industry professionals judged the competition. The jury included Thresia Mareta, Susan Budihardjo, Rinaldy A. Yunardi, Hian Tjen, Caren Delano, Yongki Komaladi, Didi Budiardjo, Richard Hartono, Ary Juwono, Djafar, Sofie, and Sarie Febriane.
Five finalists advanced to the final stage and showcased their collections during a private trunk show.
JF3 Advisor Thresia Mareta said the program mirrors real industry conditions to prepare participants for professional careers.
“We need designers who can transform ideas into products. They build that ability through real challenges and practical experience,” she said.
Arron Bryan from Jayapura, Papua, emerged as the winner of Future Fashion Designer 2026. The judges praised his consistency and his contemporary interpretation of Papuan culture through production-ready fashion designs.
Arron received a cash prize of Rp50 million. He and fellow finalists Agatha Lievia, Azzahra Najmanisa, Nabila Karimah, and Tashannie Abigail Loekman will also present their collections on the main runway at JF3 Fashion Festival 2026 alongside leading Indonesian and international designers.
