At a Jakarta crosswalk, Indonesian Teens Take to the Catwalk

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A pedestrian crossing turned viral catwalk has become a site for Jakarta’s young fashionistas to express themselves, while attracting the disapproval of police in the traffic-clogged Indonesian capital.

The informal downtown gathering has drawn sartorial adventurists from across the suburbs of the metropolis, including from Citayam, leading it to be dubbed “Citayam Fashion Week”.

And with their poses and struts all being shared on TikTok and Instagram, some Citayam pioneers have found instant fame, earning modeling jobs, endorsements, and an army of adoring fans.

“I feel like this is the place where I can express my style and create content. It is so much fun because there are so many people and I can meet new friends here. I don’t even want to go home,” 18-year-old student Ricat Al Fendri told AFP.

He and some friends had taken a morning train to the central meeting spot, tucked between sleek skyscrapers and trendy cafes, to flaunt their outfits for the day.

Police, who previously moved to ban the use of the crosswalk as a runway, now regularly shout through a loudspeaker to ward the crowd off the street.

But that does not deter girls who don wide-legged jeans and colorful sunglasses -- and boys in leather jackets, stylish sneakers, and faux-fur coats -- from filming their struts for social media.

Some of the more enthusiastic teenagers have been caught sleeping on the area’s sidewalks at night after missing the last train home.

“We have the right to hang out here. It’s a public space and for me, it’s a great stress reliever from school exams,” said Al Fendri.

Copycat crowds