Jejak Bisnis | Produk Fashion Dari Bulu Domba Wonosobo (Dombos)

Summary

The video features Wibowo, the founder and innovator behind a fashion brand that uses sheep wool to create unique products. His journey began in 2017 when he learned about the potential of local sheep wool from Wonosobo. With guidance from a textile school, he developed yarn and experimented with prototypes like shoes and bags. Over time, his brand has grown, offering eco-friendly wool products, appealing to collectors and fashion enthusiasts alike. The brand emphasizes sustainability and supports local farmers, turning waste into valuable, prayerful fabric, fostering prosperity for everyone involved in the process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Wibowo, the inventor and owner, started his wool-based fashion product business after being inspired by a visit from business partners from Bali and the UK in 2017.
• 😀 The business focuses on creating products made from sheep wool, specifically from Wonosobo and Marino sheep, which are used to create high-quality yarn and fabrics.
• 😀 Wool from sheep must be clean and well-maintained, with sheep periodically bathed to remove dirt before their wool is harvested.
• 😀 It takes about 6-12 months for sheep to grow enough wool to be used in production, with each sheep yielding between 1.5 to 2.5 kg of raw wool.
• 😀 The wool undergoes a multi-step process, including washing, carding, and spinning to turn it into yarn, which is then woven into fabric, taking around a week from start to finish.
• 😀 Wibowo and his team began by experimenting with prototypes of products such as hats, bags, shoes, and wallets, testing which products would appeal most to the market.
• 😀 The main market for the products has been people outside of the local area, including cities like Batam and Jakarta, with some buyers purchasing raw wool, yarn, or finished fabrics.
• 😀 The wool-based fashion products are considered unique and exclusive, appealing to collectors and people interested in rare, artisanal goods.
• 😀 The brand is preparing to launch social media channels and a website to better promote and sell their wool-based fashion products.
• 😀 The overall mission is to create value from sheep wool, turning what was once considered waste into profitable and sustainable products, benefiting everyone in the supply chain from farmers to consumers.

Q & A

What inspired the creation of fashion products made from sheep wool?

The inspiration began in 2017 when a business associate from Bali visited, accompanied by a colleague from the UK who ran a sweater factory in Bali using Australian sheep wool. This led to discussions about local sheep in Wonosobo whose wool could be used similarly, which sparked the idea to create wool-based fashion products.

How did the process of turning sheep wool into fashion products evolve?

After learning about wool processing techniques from Bandung's Textile Polytechnic in 2018, the team started by making yarn from raw wool, then experimenting with various products like caps (kupluk), shoes, bags, and wallets. The realization that wool could be used to create a wide range of fashion items led to further exploration.

What type of sheep are used for wool production in the business?

The main sheep used are Tombos sheep from Wonosobo, although other sheep breeds like Marino and Batur can also be used. The wool is harvested when the sheep's fleece reaches a certain length, typically around one year, and can be sheared every six months to a year.

How is the wool processed before it becomes yarn or fabric?

The wool is first purchased from local farmers, then it undergoes a cleaning process to remove dirt and debris. It is dried, opened, carded, and spun into yarn. The spinning process takes about a week, and the yarn is then woven into fabric.

What is the production capacity of the business?

Currently, the business has about 25 spinning machines and produces between 50-60 kilograms of yarn per week, which is equivalent to approximately 200-300 meters of wool fabric.

What is the cost of producing one meter of wool fabric?

The cost for one meter of plain wool fabric is approximately 150,000 IDR. If eco-printing is involved, the cost rises to about 200,000 IDR, bringing the total cost per meter to around 350,000 IDR.

How does the business approach market demand and product development?

The initial approach was to create prototypes of various products such as shoes, wallets, and bags. Based on market feedback, they focused on expanding production of items that had a positive response. Customers primarily come from cities like Batam and Jakarta, with some purchasing raw wool or finished products like bags and shoes.

What role does social media play in the business?

The business is planning to use social media platforms like Instagram and a dedicated website to promote and sell their products. This will help in expanding their market reach and informing potential customers about their unique wool-based fashion products.

What challenges did the business face in creating wool-based fashion products?

The main challenge was the lengthy and labor-intensive process of turning raw sheep wool into high-quality fashion products. From sourcing the wool, cleaning, and processing it into yarn and fabric, the effort involved was substantial. It took nearly seven years to develop a product range from the initial idea.

What is the broader goal of this wool-based fashion initiative?

The overarching goal is to turn an otherwise undervalued byproduct, sheep wool, into a profitable and sustainable product. This initiative aims to provide economic benefits for farmers, artisans, and the end consumers while creating unique, locally made fashion items that carry the hopes and prayers of all involved in the process.