Steal the Look: RA Kartini

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Simple classic chignon decorated with fresh flower, kebaya and traditional batik cloth worn as a long skirt; are the signature style of RA Kartini. One that has been an obligatory outfit for Indonesian girls to wear to school at the commemorate day of RA Kartini (April 21st) every year. 

Since I was little, I love the dressy and powerful feeling of wearing kebaya and dress up as RA Kartini herself in that day. For that dressiness, kebaya paired with long batik skirt has also very popular here as a wedding or party gown. 

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About RA Kartini

(picture courtesy of Wikipedia)

RA Kartini is a Javanese princess who become Indonesian national heroine during the Dutch period for fighting the women's right for the very first time. She was born into an aristocrat family with a strong intellectual tradition. 

She went to school until she's 12 y.o. and speak Dutch fluently. Those are the privileged she got as a blue blood at that time. After turned 12, she was secluded at home only given the privilege of learning embroidery and allowed to go out in public for special occasion until she was married. 

But, being secluded at home doesn't turn off her will to learn more and more. She kept educating herself and start sending mails to her Dutch friend who later introduce her to feminist thought via Dutch magazines and newspaper sent from abroad. She read literally everything with a great deal of attention and thoughtfulness. Her concern was more that woman's emancipation but also their social condition. 

After she was married, she made the first school for women that later pioneering other woman's schools all over the country. In her letters, she wrote how she despise the Javanese women's tradition that made her secluded, unable to study, and must prepare for a polygamous marriage with a man she never knew. She also express her criticism to her religion and express her religious thoughts by being a vegetarian. She aimed to continue her study in Europe, yet, she got married and died at a very young age for giving birth to her first son. 

The letters she sent to her pen pals abroad can be read in her book: Letters of a Javanese Princess (available worldwide). Thanks to her, Indonesian women today are free to choose and educate themselves

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So, gorgeous readers from Indonesia.. do share me your Kebaya Kartini post and your stories, will you? For international reader, how do you think about her? Tell us about the feminist heroine in your country.

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P.s.: I hope I won't bore you with my month-long kebaya outfit post for next post will be more about this glamorous traditional outfit and great ladies who wore them ;) 
Stay tuned!

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Miy

Purple Modern Kebaya / a.k.k.u.

Batik Long Skirt / Afif Syakur

Shoes / Chrysalis 

Photographed by Dito Yuwono

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Hugs,