REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – In its role as a state-owned enterprise and a responsible corporation, PT Pegadaian (Persero) is committed to carrying out community development activities. Inspired by Pegadaian's existence as a solution for all layers of society based on the values of collaboration, transparency, and trust, renowned fashion designer Samuel Wattimena has created motifs and designs that align with the character of this financial institution.

The designer, known for his Indonesian ethnic fashion, was involved by the National Craft Council (Dekranas) to create customized designs for Pegadaian, which were applied to eco-friendly shopping bags and face masks for health protection during the new normal lifestyle amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

By combining Pacitan batik as the base motif and woven products from the SME Du Anyam from Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Sammy, as he is affectionately called, created a combination of contemporary shopping bags. The Pacitan batik fabric with its natural-colored pace motif, wrapped around the handle of a bag woven from purun tikus plants, is very fashionable when carried on trips.

The involvement of the SME Du Anyam is in line with Dekranas' idea of helping the craft SME sector, which has been shaken by the Covid-19 pandemic. By appointing SMEs to produce designs by Indonesian designers, this will be a strategic, fast, and concrete step to revive small and medium-sized businesses.

"If observed, the designs inspired by Indonesia's cultural richness carry messages of mutual cooperation, collaboration, openness, and trust. One example is the designs and products created by Samuel Wattimena for Pegadaian. This is proof that culture can be an inspiration to encourage all of us to live with the new normal and together overcome the Covid-19 pandemic,” explained Elizabeth Thohir, Head of the Funding Division of Dekranas, in a press statement on Tuesday (22/9).

Du Anyam itself is an SME consisting of talented women in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. With products that are already globally competitive, this SME aims to empower women in NTT, promote Indonesian culture, and improve the health quality of women, especially in underdeveloped areas.

In addition to Pegadaian, Dekranas has also collaborated with several renowned designers and other state-owned enterprises, such as Pertamina, PT Telkom, Bank BNI, and Bank Mandiri, with the mission of helping the SME sector rise amid the Covid-19 pandemic.