Indonesia teacher turned tailor cashes in on cat fashion craze

Fredi Lugina Priadi tried his hand at a number of businesses before stumbling upon supplying outfits to picky pet owners looking to dress up their cats

His creations range from superhero costumes to outfits inspired by cosplay characters, nurse uniforms and even traditional Islamic wear

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A cat pictured wearing a cosplay hijab costume in Bogor, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Reuters

Reutersin Bogor, Indonesia

Published: 9:00am, 3 Dec 2020Updated: 9:00am, 3 Dec 2020

It may not be haute couture, but Indonesian tailor Fredi Lugina Priadi has found a lucrative market for his cat fashions, creating unique costumes and cosplay outfits for cats.

After quitting his job as a schoolteacher, he tried his hand at a number of businesses – including running a motorbike repair shop – before stumbling upon feline fashions, an idea from one of his cat-loving cousins.

The 39-year-old now supplies outfits to picky pet owners looking to dress their cats in everything from superhero outfits for figures like Thor and Superman to cosplay characters, nurse uniforms and even traditional Islamic wear.

A cat sits among its cosplay costumes in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Reuters

“At first, my cousins who love cats gave me the idea to make these costumes and I thought it was weird,” said Fredi, speaking from his rustic workshop with a sewing machine in Bogor just south of the capital Jakarta. “But it turned out to be funny to see them with costumes.”

Since setting up his online business three years ago, he now generates up to 3 million rupiah (US$210) a month if he sells at least four pieces a day. Each outfit costs between US$6 and US$10 to buy.