Threads of Transformation: The Blueprint of Popomangun and Noir Sur Blanc 

Collaboration breathes life into the rhythms of Jakarta’s creative scene, as makers come together to break barriers, shape new design narratives, and bring bold ideas to life—from pop-up culinary residencies and DJ gigs across wartegs and Japanese-fusion bars, to impromptu poetry nights and orchestral performances in local bookstores and coffee shops.

Popomangun, a born-and-bred Jakartan, joins this wave of creative synergy through his collaboration with Noir Sur Blanc on their latest collection, “The Blueprint.”

The collection features exclusively designed knitwear by Popomangun, merging his distinctive artistic language with Noir Sur Blanc’s clean, sophisticated aesthetic. The result is a vibrant palette: blue, black, white, orange-mustard, with accents of cream and light brown that reimagines the brand’s minimalist signature. Some pieces echo the spirit of football jerseys or sportswear through their striped treatments, while others stand as bold statements through experimental tailoring. At the heart of the collection are floral motifs—Popomangun’s signature—that act as centerpieces and narrative anchors for The Blueprint.

“We had a previous collaboration with Noir Sur Blanc under the theme of ‘Grow and Glow’, which reflected the experimental phase we were in,” Popomangun shares in a video discussing the collection’s origins. “The artwork was organic and floral—we had an identity like a flower. That became a foundation I wanted to carry into this new project.”

This new chapter, themed Blueprint, draws inspiration from the world of clay art—its organic beginnings, tactile processes, and the transformation from formlessness to structure. “The process starts from point zero and evolves into something entirely new,” Popomangun explains. “Visually, you can feel that through the textures we're introducing in this collection.”

Worn, The Blueprint becomes an embodiment of transformation, mirroring the claymaking process. The garments are not only animated by their wearers, but also, in turn, breathe character and individuality into them.

This homage to artisanal practice extends beyond the garments, brought to life through an immersive installation at ASHTA District 8. The exhibition features Popomangun’s works incorporating tribal motifs and visual elements translated onto knit materials, alongside a detailed showcase of the collection’s creative journey—from ideation and design to production. Visitors are invited to engage with interactive elements such as booth personalisation, live painting sessions, fashion showcases, a photo booth, “stamp & collect” activities, and a live knitting experience.

Highlighting Indonesia’s rich knitting heritage, the installation also features two iconic knitting machines from the 1990s. The Flying Tiger Manual Knitting Machine, known for its physically demanding “rubbing” technique, produces sustainable knits shaped by yarn threads rather than cut cloth. Alongside it is the Lindie Cikan Linking Machine, a circular, high-precision linking tool often referred to as “the tailored machine” for knitwear. Together, they represent both tradition and innovation—positioning Popomangun and Noir Sur Blanc as stewards and evolvers of this craft.

The installation runs at ASHTA District 8 from 21 July to 3 August 2025.