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"The art of batik and colour theory are two elements that cannot be separated."
To say that our batik artisan partners are textile experts, is something of an understatement. They are masters of their craft, with an unmatched eye for detail and colour theory.
We wanted to explore a softer expression to our batik stories. Is there a side to Merak that could bring out subtlety, rarely seen in bird-themed batiks? How about charismatic, cool Tumbuh, as opposed to its usual grounded hues?
Tumbuh in Porcelain
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With moodboard in hand, we proposed the idea of Porcelain to our artisans. Two years ago, their response was no. Why? Because pastel colours are notoriously hard to achieve — batik dyes don’t come in pastel shades, and diluting strong dyes with water risks compromising their quality.
So we decided to shelf the idea for a bit to go back to the drawing board. This year with more experience under our belts, we ideated within the limits of the colours we could use. And that's how a jewel-themed porcelain moodboard aligned with our signature colours was born.
A bejeweled porcelain blue inspired moodboard featuring shades of lapis lazuli, cerulean blues and indigo.
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As usual, even with masters at work, temperature and humidity affect the way dyes dry, meaning no two batik pieces turn out exactly the same. In an industry that prizes conformity, this unpredictability might seem like a flaw. But for us, it’s what makes handcrafted batik truly special.
Batik, after all, is more than pattern. It’s a living craft rooted in tradition, and one that continues to teach us about patience, adaptability, and value.
Artisans were ready, even developing a proprietary method to achieve varying gradients of blue hues. Merak Indigo, before wash.
Behind-the-scenes: Gradients in Tumbuh Porcelain, after dyeing. Scroll up to see the outcome as the Studio Shirt and Shorts Set.
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As always, we craft and create slowly—the idea of which is a strange timeline to most, but which we know is something you, reader and wearer of batik, appreciates.
Porcelain comes in silhouettes both new and familiar. We even brought back an old favourite in the wrap blouse. Pre-orders open until 15 November only, with very limited slots left. This is also the last season of pre-orders for 2025.
