Rayon Batik Maxi Dress with Mint Floral Pattern Made in Bali - Mint Garden

Artisan Organization: Luh Supandeni

Country: Bali & Java

"I am Luh Supandeni, and I was born in Penuktukan Village, Bali. The villagers in Penuktukan work as palm sugar farmers. The hot climate and the village's proximity to the beach make it difficult to cultivate many agricultural commodities. My parents' occupations were farming and raising cows and pigs. They also engaged in buying and selling market commodities.

"My first job was as a salesperson in a boutique for one year. Afterward, I started working independently by taking up jobs as a seamstress. I developed a strong interest in the fashion industry because I saw a great opportunity. In 1993, I got married to a man from my hometown. In 1994, we welcomed our first son. Since then, my husband and I have been blessed with three children who serve as strong motivation to provide them with a better life.

"While starting to create my own clothing, I faced challenging times when my husband and I struggled to earn enough to sustain ourselves. The uncertainty of my husband's freelance income posed a significant challenge. Consequently, we had to live frugally to make ends meet and support our children. The lesson I want to convey is that hard work is the key to success.

I find inspiration for my designs from various sources. I like to incorporate different styles to create something unique. I also strive to contribute to environmental preservation by repurposing leftover fabrics into pouches and packaging for my products. Not only does this add value to the leftover fabrics, but it also helps reduce plastic waste.""