We were honoured to welcome Free Malaysia Today (FMT) to Batik Boutique recently. Their team joined one of our batik workshops in Kuala Lumpur and interviewed our founder and CEO, Amy Blair, to learn more about the journey behind our social enterprise.
The feature explores how Batik Boutique grew from a small home project into a brand that supports artisans across Malaysia while preserving traditional batik craftsmanship.
You can read the article and watch the video below.
Watch the FMT Feature
From Friendship to Social Enterprise
In their article “The American building livelihoods with Malaysian batik”, FMT shares how Batik Boutique began with a simple friendship.
Amy Blair, originally from Texas, moved to Malaysia 18 years ago. While living in Kuala Lumpur, she became friends with a single mother living in a PPR flat and learned about the challenges many women face in providing for their families.
Seeing that her friend owned a sewing machine, Amy suggested turning batik fabric into handmade gifts to generate extra income.
What began as a small project from her home eventually grew into Batik Boutique.
Supporting Over 400 Malaysian Artisans
Founded in 2010, Batik Boutique has grown into an award-winning social enterprise working with artisans across Malaysia.
Today, the organisation has empowered more than 400 artisans nationwide, including batik makers, seamstresses, and women from underserved communities.
Batik Boutique focuses on building a responsible and sustainable supply chain by:
• providing skills training
• creating consistent income opportunities
• working with marginalised communities
• preserving traditional batik craftsmanship
The company is also proud to be Malaysia’s only B Corp-certified batik brand.
Experiencing Batik Through Workshops in Kuala Lumpur
During their visit, the FMT team participated in a hands-on batik workshop in Kuala Lumpur at Batik Boutique’s store at The Row.
These workshops introduce participants to the traditional techniques behind batik making, including:
• wax resist dyeing
• hand drawing using a canting
• traditional block printing
The workshops are popular with corporate teams, schools, and tourists who want to experience Malaysian culture in a creative and meaningful way.
Most importantly, they help visitors understand the craftsmanship and human stories behind every batik piece.
The Impact Behind Every Piece
Behind every handcrafted product is the work of skilled artisans across Malaysia.
One example highlighted in the FMT feature is Aznan, a third-generation batik maker in Kelantan.
Through Batik Boutique’s partnership, his business has grown significantly, and his production house was upgraded to better protect it from flooding.
Stories like these are central to Batik Boutique’s mission: ensuring that traditional craftsmanship creates sustainable livelihoods.
Bringing Malaysian Batik to the World
In 2025 alone, Batik Boutique produced more than 20,000 handcrafted pieces, combining traditional batik techniques with modern design.
The brand continues to grow with four stores across the Klang Valley and a new outlet opening soon at 118 Mall.
Founder Amy Blair’s vision remains clear: to make Malaysian batik recognised around the world while supporting the artisans who create it.
