Worn by the Royal Family, This is the Name of the Black Kebaya Dian Sastrowardoyo along with the Meaning of Each Color in the 'GADIS KRETEK' Series

Kapanlagi.com - Written by Rachel Carisa Oswandi

Just aired on Thursday (2/11/2023) on Netflix, the series GADIS KRETEK has become one of the phenomenal series in Indonesia that has been talked about in the virtual world. Directed by Kamila Andini and Ifa Isfansyah, this series has received a lot of praise from viewers due to its excellence. Not only is it played by top stars like Dian Sastrowardoyo, but the story itself is very authentic, so it's no wonder that viewers consider this series as one of the best of all time.

The series, adapted from the novel by Ratih Kumala with the same title, tells the story of a girl named Dasiyah (Dian Sastrowardoyo) who is the daughter of a kretek cigarette tycoon. At that time, the cigarette industry was dominated by men, so the character of Dasiyah, who is interested in the industry, had to face various gender discrimination problems. This film portrays Dasiyah as a representation of women in the present time, dealing with various issues of gender discrimination and gender stereotypes.

The character of Dasiyah played by Dian Sastro is one of the keys to the success of this series. In addition to her acting skills that bring Dasiyah or Jeng Yah to life, the clothes she wears also attract the attention of viewers. The kebaya worn by Dian further brings to life the atmosphere of the story set in 60s Indonesia. Until many viewers are curious because the luxurious kebaya that Dasiyah wears looks somewhat strange to them. Some of KLovers must also be curious about the kebaya that Dasiyah wears. Let's find out the information below!

1. Name of Kebaya Dasiyah

Dian Sastrowardoyo Gadis Kretek (Netflix)

The kebaya worn by Dian Sastrowardoyo to portray the character Dasiyah looks very elegant and beautiful. Especially the deep black kebaya that Dasiyah wears when observing dried tobacco leaves. The presence of the kebaya invites curiosity from the audience because its shape is uncommon in public.

The kebaya is called kebaya janggan. According to Tradisi Kebaya, besides using black fabric, the kebaya also has a design resembling a male surjan with buttons on the left side of the body that go from the neck down. Kebaya Janggan is usually worn by the royal community and is also the daily attire of a female abdi dalem.

2. Meaning of the Black Kebaya

Dian Sastrowardoyo Kretek Girl (instagram.com/jozz_felix)

It's no wonder that this series has garnered praise, as so many important details are taken into account. One of them is the use of the kebaya color worn by the character Dasiyah, which has its own meaning and is able to represent Dasiyah's character.

The character Dasiyah often wears monochrome kebaya in black and white. Quoted from Hagai Pakan, the fashion designer, he mentioned that the black kebaya carries the meaning of Dasiyah's firmness.

"The color black will not change even if it is splashed with various colors, just like Dasiyah," he wrote on his personal Instagram account @hagaipakan.

Hagai also added another reason for choosing the costume of the black kebaya, "Similarly, with the very specific choice of kebaya, a combination of surjan, kebaya janggan, and classic kebaya represents the complexity of Dasiyah's soul, loyal to her roots but ready to change the world. This is my interpretation of the concept of 'lady boss' in Indonesia at that time, powerful (not masculine), because being a strong woman doesn't mean being masculine," he continued.

3. The Meaning of White Kebaya

Dian Sastrowardoyo Kretek Girl (Netflix)

Another kebaya that radiates the elegance of the daughter of a kretek factory owner also carries a significant meaning. The white kebaya that appears in this final episode represents Dasiyah's readiness to step into a new life.

"But there comes a time when black turns into white, like the sun rising from the darkness of the night, like a new birth. White is a blank canvas ready to be painted, or an empty sheet to be filled with a new story. Like a bride wrapped in white, symbolizing a new chapter of life," writes Hagai Pakan.

(kpl/rcl)