Costumes and textiles art have always important social, cultural and economic impacts on individuals and communities. Textiles are often part of the identity of the community, and costume in particular is used to express belonging and exclusivity. This research will focus on the traditional, festive costumes and textile arts in the area of Central Java, Indonesia. It will be analysed on how the identity changed from their historical development and stylistic contexts in a period of time until the 21th century in Indonesia. The traditional costumes and how it relates to the culture, and other cultural influences observed through cultural changes. The aim of this research is to learn the meaning in the changes of the identity in the history of costumes and textiles art in Central Java in term of the cultural background, beliefs, the characteristics of people, their nature environment and spiritual influences in order to preserve the culture. The research methods using art historical methods and cultural science methods in the line with art historical studies and will be completed with qualitative, empirical and descriptive research methods. Because of the interest and my enthusiasm about costumes and textiles art in Indonesia, we have conducted field observations all the time in various regions known for their traditional costumes and textile arts. The output of this research at the end will be theoretical, enquiring into the meanings and changes of the costumes and textiles art in Indonesia at this particular area, methods and designs. All findings can be used as a ground of the theoretical knowledge for further research and can be used in the preservation, research and education purposes in order to giving back to the society.

Central Java, costumes, textile, identity, art

• Julita Oesanty Oetojo, Dipl. Des (FH)., M.Ds.

• Almira Firmansyah, S.Ds.,M.Ds