Rosita Batik Shibori: Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Fashion

I’ve always loved wearing local Indonesian brands – there are more and more cool ones emerging, and many are just as good as, if not, even better than international labels. Among these creative brands, one in particular caught my attention: Rosita Batik Shibori, a label that preserves Indonesia’s batik heritage while giving it a modern, thoughtful twist.

Behind every meaningful brand is a personal journey, and this is the story of Rosita Batik Shibori – a journey of creativity, sustainability, and community.

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Shibori: The Craft That Makes Each Piece One-of-a-Kind

The name Rosita Batik Shibori is from the founder’s name, Rosita, combined with the shibori technique employed and how the business started – she used to sell batik, and even now she often combines the two techniques together. 

Shibori is a fabric resist-dyeing technique created by folding, binding, and compressing the fabric before it is dyed. The patterns are formed through these resist methods, making each piece unique. Rosita chose this technique because not many local Indonesian brands work with shibori, and because the patterns always turn out differently every time, giving each piece a special, almost limited-edition feel.

Each piece of Rosita Batik is made through a long and thoughtful process that requires patience

From a hobby to sustainable fashion, to empowering the community

Rosita Batik Shibori was founded in 2017 in Surabaya, West Java, starting simply as a hobby. Then came the creative joy of choosing colours. In the beginning, Rosita used chemical dyes because they offered a wide range of colour options.

However, as time went by and the hobby grew into a business, Rosita began to feel the negative impact of working with chemical dyes. She experienced skin irritation and health issues, and became increasingly concerned about the waste produced and its impact on the environment. Eventually, she made the decision to switch to natural dyes, and that was the moment the brand evolved into a sustainable fashion label.

Of course, the change came at a cost… quite literally. Production became more expensive, and the selling prices had to adjust accordingly. But slowly, Rosita Batik Shibori found the right market; people who shared the same values.

As demand grew, so did production, this led to another meaningful step: hiring women from the village of Gamplong. By employing local housewives, the brand created opportunities for them to stay productive while earning additional income. What she thought was a small initiative turned out to have a significant impact, supporting not only the women themselves but also their families.

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From a small village to Japan – proving that local stories can travel far

From Java to the world

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was the success of Rosita Batik Shibori. It began with small exhibitions around Surabaya, before expanding to Jakarta and later Bali. Rosita then participated in fashion shows that helped introduce the brand to a wider audience. She also actively hosted workshops, and all of this hard work eventually led to a major opportunity: showcasing her work in France at the Who’s Next Paris event, supported by L’Adresse Agency Paris and Pelindo Indonesia. She was over the moon when she secured an international buyer from Greece.

The hustle didn’t stop there. Rosita Batik Shibori just had its second international opportunity – a pop-up event in Kobe, Japan, supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade in collaboration with IPTC Osaka and Bateeg Japan. Out of 190 participants who registered for the programme, only 16 were selected, and Rosita is incredibly proud to be among them.

The event featured a series of activities including pop-up exhibitions, B2B showcases, business matching sessions with several Japanese fashion companies, photoshoots, and a fashion show.

Some of the newest collections of Rosita Batik Shibori showcased in Japan

A passion that brings joy

One of the most meaningful journeys for Rosita Batik Shibori has been the strong relationships built with its customers. It means the world to her every time she sees enthusiastic faces at exhibitions – customers excitedly discovering new patterns and exploring the latest collections.

The brand also takes pride in creating employment opportunities within the community. Employees are not seen merely as staff, but as partners, fostering a shared sense of belonging as the business continues to grow together.

Beyond that, the journey has opened doors to meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs, allowing the team to exchange knowledge, collaborate, and grow through shared experiences.

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Rosita’s message for Indonesian UMKM (micro, small, and medium enterprises)

Rosita hopes Indonesian businesses continue to preserve local culture and take pride in our kearifan lokal (local wisdom). She believes no business is too small – anything done with heart, dedication, and patience will eventually flourish.

She encourages more women to enter the industry, noting that they, too, can play a leading role in Indonesia’s economy. Through consistent quality and continuous improvement, she hopes local products can confidently compete on the international stage.

“To the next generation, don’t be afraid to try new things, to create, and to keep exploring. Collaborate, build connections, and support fellow entrepreneurs. Growth comes from courage, persistence, and learning together.”

Where to Find Rosita Batik Shibori

📱Instagram: @rositabatikshibori.official

🛍️ Stores & Galleries:

• Rosita Batik Shibori shop, Citraland Surabaya Barat
• Hotel Garrya Bianti, Yogyakarta
• Wedja Ubud Gallery, Bali
• Djaman Doeloe Resto, Forpoints Surabaya
• Wastra Sheraton, Surabaya
• Mesastile Hotel, Yogyakarta
• Wastra Marriott Hotel, Yogyakarta
• Toko D2i, Ciputra World Surabaya

💵 Price Range:

• Fashion: IDR 450,000 – 900,000
• Fabric: IDR 600,000 – 5,000,000

👚Best-Selling Products:

• Kebaya encim & kutu baru
• Male and female outers
• Celana lilit
• Crop tops
• Kain lilit