Batik Boutique has grown its presence with several retail locations across the country.
Fifteen years ago, Amy Blair found herself travelling to Malaysia’s East Coast with a baby in tow, sourcing batik fabric. What began as a simple favour for a friend quickly evolved into the first steps of something much bigger.
“I didn’t know anything about batik when I started,” admits Blair, founder of Batik Boutique. “I had no retail or fashion background. But I had an entrepreneurial spirit born out of hardship, and a desire to help.” She was drawn not just to the intricate artistry of batik, but to the powerful stories of the artisans who created it.
The brand prides itself on the traditional wax-resist method of batik.
In 2009, Amy met Ana—a skilled seamstress and single mother looking for steady income to support her family. Their friendship became the catalyst for what would become a thriving social enterprise.
“With Ana’s sewing skills and my passion for social impact, we started small—making handcrafted gifts I gave to friends and family,” says Blair. “Word spread, demand grew, and so did our vision.” That sparked the beginning of Batik Boutique—a business built on friendship, and fuelled by purpose.
DRIVEN BY IMPACT
Amy Blair, Co-Founder & CEO of Batik Boutique.
Batik Boutique was founded on a simple yet powerful belief: that women like Ana deserve fair, sustainable income and the opportunity to provide for their families with dignity. From a humble start around a dining table, the enterprise has grown into a nationwide operation that empowers over 500 artisans across Malaysia—including second- and third-generation batik artists, seamstresses, and tailors.
“From day one, I believed in one simple hypothesis: can we do business and do good at the same time?” Blair reflects. “Charity has its place, but what we needed was a model that empowers people—a scalable, sustainable business rooted in impact.”
Since its inception, Batik Boutique lives up to that ethos, producing high-quality apparel, homeware, and gifts that celebrate the heritage of Malaysian batik, all while transforming lives. Today the brand has grown into a design house with a presence in five retail locations across Malaysia—Mont Kiara, The Row, The Westin Desaru, IOI City Mall, and soon, Merdeka 118. It now ships globally to over 40 countries.
BUILDING ON BATIK
Batik Boutique’s products are crafted with cultural integrity and artistic flair.
In the corporate space, Batik Boutique is becoming a go-to partner for customised batik apparel and gifts for major players in government, oil & gas, banking, and hospitality. Support from the Malaysian government, including encouragement from the Prime Minister to adopt Malaysian batik, has opened new doors.
“We’re now working with the Securities Commission for ASEAN, and partnering with organisations like Khazanah, MyCreative Ventures, and Think City to elevate Malaysia’s cultural industries,” says Blair.
“From day one, I believed in one simple hypothesis: can we do business and do good at the same time? Charity has its place, but what we needed was a model that empowers people— a scalable, sustainable business rooted in impact.” — AMY BLAIR
The company has also recently launched their own production facility in Ampang, a training hub designed to mentor the next generation of artisans—not just in batik making, but also the business behind it. And through a collaboration with IKEA Global, they are receiving coaching on sustainability and merchandising as part of a combined grant and loan programme.
Each piece is designed exclusively in-house.
The journey, though, has not been without its challenges. The business has weathered floods, supply chain disruptions, and a global pandemic—which saw them pivot to producing PPE for hospitals. Yet through it all, Batik Boutique has continued to innovate and give back. “Every time we pull off something that once felt impossible, it’s a proud moment,” says Blair.
SCALING WITH PURPOSE
In an era where batik is trending again, Batik Boutique is focused on preserving authenticity. “Not all batik is created equal,” Blair explains. “Ours is hand-made using the traditional wax resist method—not machine-printed. Each piece is designed in-house and crafted with cultural integrity and artistic flair.”
The company provides income opportunities for over 400 artisans.
Batik Boutique is also proud to be the only batik brand in Malaysia with B Corp certification—an international standard recognising companies that meet the highest levels of social and environmental impact.
Highlights include hosting national design contests for young girls in collaboration with Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and sponsoring education for 26 refugee children through the business’s profits.
Fifteen years in, Batik Boutique is proof that a business can be both profitable and purpose-driven. But artisan-made models come with tight margins and limited access to capital. Despite a strong track record, securing funding remains a hurdle.
“We need partners—governments, corporates, consumers—who believe in this vision and want to build with us,” says Blair. “When the business side scales, the impact side does too.” Supporting Batik Boutique means more than buying a product. It means investing in Malaysian families, preserving cultural heritage, and building an industry with heart.
(Photos: Batik Boutique)
