Fabric of Life
Founder and CEO of Alleira Batik Lisa Mihardja is not only passionate about batik, she also gives back to society. Anastasia Wibowo writes 53
With her charming smile and cheerful personality, Lisa Mihardja greets Indonesia Tatler as we step inside GAIA Tea and Cakes in Kemang, South Jakarta for a chat. The smart entrepreneur has just finished an all-day meeting with her business partners, but there is no sign of weariness in her expression.
“I am excited about this coming month,” she tells us. “Alleira will be celebrating Batik Day on October 2, its 13th anniversary on October 6, as well as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We have so many projects and collaborations going on.”
Alleira is collaborating with Yayasan Kanker Payudara Indonesia (YKPI) in creating a limited-edition batik scarf and special pink-ribbon packaging for GAIA Tea and Cakes, and up to 15 per cent of the sales will be donated to YKPI. “I have the utmost respect for Mrs Linda Gumelar and all the other breast cancer survivors out there,” Lisa adds.
Meanwhile, along with YKPI and Rumah Pesona Kain, Alleira is planning to host a show on October 25 with a concept similar to the “Batik for the World” exhibition held at the UNESCO HQ in Paris last June.
And speaking of the City of Lights, Alleira also participated in Paris Fashion Week 2018 on March 3. Its collection was worn by Madeline Stuart, a professional model with Down syndrome who hails from Australia—and Alleira hopes to collaborate again with her. “Madeline is a very nice and confident girl. I am proud of her,” Lisa says. Furthermore, to honour World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, Alleira invited three adorable kids with Down syndrome to strut their stuff during the Alleira spring/summer 2018 “Amorous” show at Plaza Indonesia Fashion Week 2018.
In addition, this year, to commemorate National Children’s Day on July 23 and to celebrate Accor Indonesia’s 25th anniversary, Alleira collaborated with Yayasan Daya Pelita Kasih in the “25 Magic Painting Exhibition” featuring 12 talented children with autism at the Pullman Jakarta Indonesia hotel. At the opening ceremony, the incredible children all sported Alleira.
Further back in 2014, to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 at Fashion Nation Senayan City, Alleira collaborated with Yayasan Masyarakat Peduli Autis Indonesia (MPATI) in which nine children with autism showcased the Alleira Kids collection. In addition, for the past 10 years, Alleira has been contributing 10 per cent of the profits from Alleira Kids to Yayasan Pembinaan Anak Cacat (YPAC) Jakarta. “These disabled and specialneeds children are remarkable. They really amaze me,” Lisa says enthusiastically.
Then in October 2016, Alleira held the “Yavadwipa” show, creating a limitededition collection for
“Through Alleira, I want to take batik to the next level, but my mission goes beyond that. I want to give back to society.”
auction and charity, with proceeds going to Yayasan Pendidikan Harapan Papua for the benefits of education and health services in remote areas of Papua.
Alleira has also collaborated with the Pansophia Nusantara Foundation for the skills development training of women in Dadap in the Tangerang area. Other collaborators on similar programmes include the Tunggadewi Foundation and the Mien Rachman Uno Foundation.
The bright businesswoman is indeed passionate about her philanthropic ventures. “Through Alleira, I want to take batik to the next level, but my mission goes beyond that. I want to give back to society,” Lisa continues. “I support these foundations continuously because this is what I want. My intention is sincere and I do it wholeheartedly.”
Lisa also teaches her own three children—tiffany, Carys, and Edwyn— about humanitarianism. Every year, on their birthdays, Lisa would take the children to visit orphanages, nursing homes, refugee camps, disabled children’s homes, and even to underprivileged areas such as slums, landfills, and railway tracks. “I feel so blessed,” she reveals. “If we are healthy, we need to help those who are less fortunate. Sometimes it’s not just about money. These children actually need love and affection,” says the grateful mother-of-three.
She has also collaborated with local cosmetics brand Mineral Botanica in creating a special batik motif packaging for the lipsticks. “I am not a fan of make-up, but when I see Mineral Botanica, I know this brand is set to be great. It uses halal and natural ingredients, delivering highquality, premium products at reasonable prices,” she says.
Design-wise, Alleira, which is known for its signature colour gradation motif and hand-painting techniques, is going to release “Merak Ngibing”, or the dancing peacock motif, a motif from Priangan in West Java. “Our design is original and we have special in-house artisans,” Lisa explains, “Furthermore, each original piece of Alleira is embedded with our logo, the unique kawung or four-leaf clover on its fabric.”
On the retail side, Alleira has also spreads its wings online, selling products via alleiraplaza.com, which was launched two years ago. With the tagline of “marketplace of Indonesia’s premium lifestyle”, alleiraplaza.com stocks products that range from apparel to accessories, and it ships worldwide. “I am proud of Indonesian arts and crafts, and we must support local products so they can go global.”