Indonesian sustainable fashion brands
In workouts, food, and especially fashion, fast isn’t always better. In our desire to always stay abreast of what’s in when it comes to fashion, we forget just how much of a toll fast fashion is taking on both the environment and oft-overlooked textile workers.
The next time you’re looking to update your wardrobe, think about checking out these 8 Indonesian sustainable fashion brands instead. Being environmentally and socially conscious can go hand-in-hand with runway-worthy looks.
1. Sejauh Mata Memandang – animal-free clothing made of recycled textiles
The Kebaya Panjang Tambal Biru (Rp. 2,000,000, ~USD142.41) top is made of Tencel-branded lyocell
Image credit: Sejauh Mata Memandang
Showcasing their love for Indonesia, Sejauh Mata Memandang, literally ‘as far as the eye can see’, uses traditional Indonesian clothing and technique with motifs inspired from all over the archipelago. Think batiks and kebayas, or Javanese traditional blouse sets, given a more contemporary and casual twist, on top of their sustainability credo.
The ocean-inspired Kutang Pita Ombak Laut Biru (Rp. 750,000, ~USD53.40) camisole with its wave-like patterns is perfect for a day out at the beach
Image credit: Sejauh Mata Memandang
Sejauh Mata Memandang exclusively uses recycled materials and environmentally friendly fabrics such as lyocell in their clothing. To ensure that the textile workers are given their due, they also work closely with local artisans from Java, Bali, and the island of Sumba in the East Nusa Tenggara province.
Art installation made out of plastic waste found in the ocean during Laut Kita exhibition in 2019
Image credit: @sejauh_mata_memandang
While their designs have grown quite popular, with famed actress Dian Sastrowardoyo wearing their scarf in the film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2, they’ve recently branched out of fashion and into art as well. In 2019, they held an installation titled Laut Kita (Our Ocean) that aims to educate locals on the amount of plastic waste floating in our oceans in the past.
2. Pijakbumi – contemporary sneakers made of rubbers from recycled tires
The upper of Sakka Hi-Top Sneakers (Rp. 399,000, ~USD28.58) is made of recycled cotton
Image credit: @pijakbumi
In the crowded landscape that is Indonesia’s sneaker boom, Pijakbumi stands out as one of the few brands that offer sustainably made kicks. Their design reflects this philosophy as well, with warm, natural earthy tones that stand in contrast to the bolder and more garish shoe trends we’re seeing more and more recently.
Aside from shoes, they’ve also produced these Signature Socks (Rp. 99,000, ~USD7.07) made out of recycled beech wood fiber
Image credit: @pijakbumi
From weaves made of eceng gondok (water hyacinth) and rubbers from used tires, Pijakbumi strives to use as many organic and recycled materials as possible. The shoe is made almost entirely by hand in Pijakbumi’s workshop in Bandung, West Java, known as the centerpiece of Indonesia’s shoemaking industry.
In recent years, Pijakbumi has also been making waves on the global stage as they were selected as one of the Emerging Designers at MICAM Milano, a biannual international footwear fair held in Italy.
3. Kana Goods – natural-dyed indigo apparels with a Japanese touch
Pair the Tie-dye Vest (Rp. 950,000, ~USD67.64) and Denim Skirt (Rp. 1,250,000, ~USD88.23) for an eco-friendly all-blue ensemble
Image credit: @kanagoods
Synthetic dyes used in mass textile production can be harmful to workers while the leftover waste from the factory, even when treated, spells nothing but trouble for the land. This is the thinking behind Kana Goods and their Japanese-inspired minimalist natural-dyed apparel.
Kana’s products are dyed with natural indigo coloring extracted from the Indigofera tinctoria plant. To help reduce waste and simplify production, all of their clothing is one-size-fits-all and dyed in the same beautiful indigo hue.
The Tambal-Tambal Outer (Rp. 1,500,000, ~USD105.88) is available in several distinctive patterns
Image credit: @kanagoods
Indigo dyeing itself is an intrinsic part of Japanese fashion, which Kana also homage to with their kimono-like outerwears and tambal, Indonesian for patches, design akin to Japanese sashiko. Of course, they still haven’t strayed from their Indonesian roots with batik-inspired patterns adorning their shirts and outers.
4. Sukkha Citta – empowering local artisans through sustainable, quality apparel
The Alunan Porcelain Dress (Rp. 3,650,000, ~USD259.97) and its subtle flower motifs is made with traditional Batik tulis technique
Image credit: Sukkha Citta
While working as a consultant for World Bank’s social development program, founder Denica Flesch saw just how much inequality there is in the world of fast fashion. This became the impetus behind Sukkha Citta, her brand of timeless, sophisticated apparel whose goal is to empower local artisans using sustainable business practices.
Leftover fabrics are turned into accessories, such as these holiday charms
Image credit: @sukkhacitta
Sukkha Citta’s dresses are as versatile as they are chic, looking right at home whether for your grocery run or as evening wear. Organic materials and natural dyes are used as much as possible and to minimize waste, leftover fabrics are turned into small accessories or packaging.
One of Sukkha Citta’s artisans, affectionately referred to as an ‘Ibu’, Indonesian for mother or ma’am
Image credit: @sukkhacitta
Of course, the environment isn’t the only concern as Sukkha Citta ensures that everyone from the supply chain gets their fair share. Using the philosophy of ‘villages, not factories’, Sukkha Citta works closely with local artisans to ensure that proceeds from sold products go directly to them.
5. Imaji Studio – sustainable clothing made with a wabi-sabi philosophy
The abstract motif of the Saturn Dress (Rp. 1,125,000, ~USD80.13) is made with hand brushed plant-based dyes
Image credit: @imaji.studio
Beauty lies in the imperfection is the core mantra of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi. This is also the inspiration for Imaji Studio, which in their interpretation, is represented by rough, asymmetrical patterns running through their designs.
The Cosmos T-shirt series (Rp. 395,000, ~USD28.13) with its rough, abstract patterns reflects Imaji’s wabi-sabi philosophy
Image credit: @imaji.studio
True to their name, Imaji frequently experiments with their motifs, achieved through a mix of different methods from eco-printing, airbrush, to even hand brushing. As part of their sustainability goals, they also exclusively use natural dyes sourced from indigo plants, mangoes, bungur trees, and sappan woods sourced from Bali.
6. Cinta Bumi Artisans – hand-stitched journals, tote bags, and other accessories
The Terumbu scarf (Rp. 800,000, ~USD56.97) uses plant-based dyes from teak, achiote seeds, and rose leaves
Image credit: Cinta Bumi Artisans
With a name like Cinta Bumi, which roughly translates as ‘to love the Earth’, the brand’s sustainable philosophy is placed front and center. Their accessories, ranging from tote bags, scarves, and necklaces, are all designed with their love for the planet in mind with warm, earthy tones and nature-inspired motifs.
Cinta Bumi’s Nunu-Tepulu Barkcloth Necklace (Rp. 160,000, ~USD11.43) is made of leftover barkcloth used for their tote bags
Image credit: Cinta Bumi Artisans
The materials and dyes used are also exclusively organic with the most notable one being barkcloth. Known here as fuya, barkcloth is a fabric made of tree barks sourced from Poso, Sulawesi where the fuya-making tradition is slowly becoming a dying art form.
No trees were harmed in the making of this Blue Orchard (Rp. 135,000, ~USD9.61) art journal
Image credit: @cintabumiartisans
As writers, we’re also very much a fan of their tastefully designed, hand-stitched, eco-printed journals. No trees were cut down during the making of these journals as they use cotton paper instead of the more conventional pulp-based paper.
7. Lanivatti – chic, sustainable travel wear for female globetrotters
The Saharienne Suit (Rp. 4,200,000, ~USD299.08) is blessed with a total of 4 front pockets
Image credit: @lanivatti_official
The lack of real pockets in women’s clothing has been thoroughly documented but this doesn’t have to be a problem if you go with Lanivatti’s sustainable travel wear. Their lineup of versatile and roomy tops, dresses, and jumpsuits come in neutral colors with plenty of pockets, blending comfort and functionality into one complete package.
For those who prefer a slimmer silhouette, the Wildebeest Dress (Rp. 1,800,000, ~USD128.18) has a tighter fit but still comes with 4 utility pockets
Image credit: @lanivatti_official
As the brainchild of fashion photographer Nicoline Patricia Malina, Lanivatti also comes with runway-worthy looks and you’ll be photo-ready whether it’s for a night out in town or a safari. You’d be doing the planet a favor too as 90% of the materials used are natural, biodegradable fibers such as viscose rayon fibers and lyocell.
Lanivatti still offloads their clothing production to other suppliers but they audit who they’re working with to make sure these suppliers conform with Lanivatti’s ethical standards. Fabrics are sourced from Tokoencit, a certified sustainable fabric maker in Bandung while production is handled by The Yarn & Co in Surakarta, a garment manufacturer with pay above the legal minimum wage, fair working hours, and zero child labour.
8. Canaan Studio – one-stop fashion and homeware shop to reduce your carbon footprint
The Shibori-dyed shirts (Rp. 825,000, ~USD58.75) is made with Japanese dyeing technique in collaboration with Tarum, a Bali-based natural dye workshop
Image credit: @canaan_bali
If updating your wardrobe feels like too small of a step to you, step inside Canaan Studio’s one-stop sustainable shop. This Bali-based retail boutique is a gathering spot for like-minded businesses, all abiding by the same sustainable philosophies and practices and was once featured in Condé Nast Traveler magazine as one of the island’s best retail spaces.
Canaan Studio has pretty much everything you need to kickstart your sustainable lifestyle
Image credit: @canaan_bali
In addition to Canaan’s own fashion collection, the shop carries goods from other Indonesian sustainable fashion brands, such as handmade ceramics from Ayu Larasati and Rabbit Habit’s beauty products. For those living in the capital, you can try dropping by Canaan’s experimental space Niniveh in South Jakarta where they regularly host art exhibitions and lifestyle workshops on top of carrying a selection of the boutique’s sustainable goods.
Indonesian sustainable fashion brands to shop from
A revolution starts from within so before we start talking about remaking the entire fashion industry for the better, we have to at least practise what we preach about reducing the impact of what we buy on our planet.
These 8 Indonesian sustainable fashion brands present a way for us to help save the world with catwalk-worthy looks.
For more shopping guides in Indonesia, check out these stories:
- Ashta at District 8 shopping mall houses Maison Kitsuné’s first Indonesian outlet
- 16 Indonesian online shopping website for your stay-at-home dose of retail therapy
- Broadway in Alam Sutera has a thrift shop with retro US vibes
Cover image adapted from @kanagoods, @pijakbumi, and Sejauh Mata Memandang