About Us
Little Nyonya Batik was born from my own journey as a Peranakan from Pekalongan, Indonesia, a town renowned for its rich batik heritage. Growing up, I was surrounded by the beauty of handmade batik, kebayas, and the traditions passed down through generations. These memories shaped my appreciation for our culture and inspired me to preserve it.
Before starting Little Nyonya Batik in 2011, I worked as a graphic designer. My love for colours, patterns, and design naturally led me back to my roots. I began working closely with batik artisans in my hometown, creating exclusive hand-drawn batik designs while supporting the traditional craftsmanship that has been practised for generations.
Baba Tan Leng Pho & family, maternal grandparents in Indonesia year around the 1920s. My grandma not yet born.
Paternal grandparents wedding 1937 (3rd generation Peranakan). Ong Pik Hoe and Tan Gien Kioe Nio.
Paternal grandparents pray to ancestor with tok wie batik (altar cloth) on my aunt's Ong Bwee Nio wedding 1958
My parents wedding in 1981 with my paternal grandparents on the right
When I first started, it was difficult to find quality handmade Peranakan batik in Singapore. I wanted to create a place where people could experience authentic Peranakan craftsmanship, not only through batik, but also kebayas, jewellery, beaded shoes, and other cultural treasures. Every piece in our collection is carefully selected because I believe heritage should be worn, appreciated, and passed on, not kept hidden away.
Me & cousins with our paternal grandma, Tan Gien Kioe Nio in 1984 (we're 5th generation Peranakan).
Today, Little Nyonya Batik is more than
a boutique. It is a place where stories are shared, traditions are celebrated, and culture continues to live on. Whether you're looking
for your first kebaya, a meaningful gift,
or a special heirloom, we hope you'll find something that connects you to the beauty
of Peranakan heritage.
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Thank you for being part of our journey.
We look forward to welcoming you to Little Nyonya Batik and sharing our passion for Peranakan culture with you.
What is Peranakan Batik?
As a Chinese-Indonesian Peranakan, our batik is more towards the Peranakan style which featured a bright and bold combination of colors, with motif influenced by Javanese, Indo-European and Chinese.
Peranakan batik associated with Indonesian culture. The Peranakan nyonyas preferred sarong style comes from Pekalongan-Indonesia, it satisfying their fondness for color. Batik is a general term that refers to a wax-resist fabric-dyeing technique. The word batik originates from the Javanese-Indonesia "amba" means draw, and "tik" and means to dot.
Until now three known batiks making process, they are hand drawn batik (batik tulis), stamp batik (block stamp batik), and print (silk screen). However artists and craftsmen prefer call silk screen not batik, but textile with batik print. This is due to the lack of human touch and mass product. Meanwhile, batik and stamp are considered original because of the wax using and almost the entire process with a human hand.
There are 2 ways of doing traditional batik
1. Hand Drawn Batik or Batik Tulis.
Every line and dot drawn using a pen call canting. Need lots of concentration to do this. There is value on hand drawn batik because it's just like painting. The process needs about 6 month, 1 year or 2 years to finish one piece, because we only bring the good quality hand drawn batik.
Normally hand drawn batik done by woman.
2. Stamp Batik / Batik Cap / Block Stamp
this the cheaper alternatives of doing traditional batik. Instead of using canting to draw the dot and line, this process using stamp dip into wax pot. So the process faster and the price more affordable.
Normally man does this, because the stamp made from cooper, quite heavy.
Why Little Nyonya Batik?
1. We love handmade product
Peranakan items are originally handmade. From batik sarong, kebaya, beaded shoe, intan jewelry are done handmade. We try to preserve this culture and handmade products. And handmade it's more than just a product. Handmade=made with love, care, creativity, and uniqueness. And every product are different!
2. We support fair trade products.
Fairtrade is not only good for our local artists, but it affects our product too. By doing fair trade, our artists are motivated to produce good workmanship. Especially since our products are handmade using traditional methods.
3. We love quality
Little Nyonya Batik believes in excellent quality, all our products are traditional and individually made of premium quality. It's no wonder our customers will be satisfied with their purchase.