Bali Bonanza
Forget the usual trinkets when shopping in Bali; the island has plenty of homegrown brands and stores that offer high- quality items by locally based creatives.
FROM WOODCARVING to silverwork, weaving to ceramics, Bali’s artisan traditions stretch back centuries. And international creatives have been drawn to the island to build their businesses since at least the 1970s. That means the island’s shopping potential stretches far beyond the dubious antiques outside Ubud and the discounted accessories at the airport to hip new design talent, decadent jewelry, and top-notch homewares. Here’s where to find the perfect souvenir for yourself and your loved ones back home.
BALI BOAT SHED The candy-colored beach huts that house this multibrand store are a Seminyak landmark. Inside lies resort wear heaven, with a focus on homegrown Bali brands— not to mention Bali Boat Shed’s own creations. Rail after rail of vibrant Hawaiian shirts and breezy board shorts will please the chaps, while elegant bikinis, bright print frocks, fun jumpsuits, and floaty, colorful separates will keep the girls happy. Look out for pieces by Rimmba, the ethical fashion brand created by young Bali-born designer Karunia Fischer
( 23a Jl. Kayu Aya; baliboatshed.com).
BIASA One of Bali’s best-loved fashion brands, Biasa turns 25 this year. Fluid yet structured creative cuts for both men and women flow from the creative mind of founder Susanna Perini, with earthy, hand-loomed, hand-dyed fabrics a signature. Unusually for Bali, many womenswear designs are kind to larger bodies, while the men’s range extends beyond the resort wear vibe toward an offcenter urban chic. There are stores around the island, but Biasa’s original Seminyak outlet is worth seeking out for its small yet fascinating upstairs art gallery, Biasa ArtSpace ( 36 Jl. Raya Seminyak; biasagroup.com).
CANAAN For sustainable and traditional—yet contemporary and stylish—Indonesian fashions and crafts, look no further than Seminyak’s Canaan store, part of the complex that houses Potato Head Beach Club and Katamama hotel. Emmelyn Gunawan, whose brother co-founded Potato Head, started the brand as part of her explorations of natural dyes, textiles, and Balinese craftwork. Today, its products include everything from naturally colored garments with a hip, fresh edge through to raw, wheelthrown ceramics, home scents, and rattan pieces ( Katamama, 51B Jl. Petitenget; canaanbali.com).
KIM SOO Brainchild of Australian mother-daughter duo Kim and Giorgia Sutton, the Kim Soo homewares emporium occupies a gorgeous colonial villa in the heart of Seminyak, complete with its own café. Homewares are sourced—and commissioned—from across the archipelago, delivering an intoxicating blend of earthy, boho textures (think rattan, beads, shells, and warm teak) with edgy, contemporary ceramics, lamps, and marble pieces. Whether you’re looking to fit out a home or simply gift a contemporary trinket or two, it’s hard to leave here emptyhanded ( 21 Jl. Kayu Aya; kimsoo.com).
TULOLA A partnership between Indonesian-American designer Sri Luce Rusna and actress-turnedprincess Happy Salma, Tulola majors on preserving and rediscovering traditional Indonesian craftsmanship. Distinctively local pieces on display in its Seminyak store include a range of subeng, or intricate Balinese earrings with decorative backs, as well as a lovingly curated and refurbished selection of vintage archipelago jewelry. From Tulola’s own collection, sculptural art pieces mesmerize, particularly crown-like chokers inspired by coral or ferns, exuberant long gold earrings and ear cuffs, and bright brooches and hair pieces. Alternatively, opt for more classically restrained pieces in a choice of silver and gold ( 2 Jl. Cendrawasih; shoptulola.com).
ULUWATU LACE The lace blouse known as the kebaya has a long heritage on Bali, and local artisans have been crafting cutwork lace on bamboo frames since time immemorial. Uluwatu Lace incorporates traditional patterns into breezy white garments for men and women, pretty table linen and bed sets, and even wedding dresses. Women’s nightwear is particularly lovely, from simple slips with lace trim through to shorts and singlets combos, while men’s linen pants are a tropical classic. There are stores across the island, including in Sanur, Seminyak, and Ubud ( uluwatu.co.id).
BUNGALOW LIVING Long before Canggu started to boom as a tourist destination, New Zealand–born photographer Giovanna Aryafara had established her Bungalow Living brand here. Its current digs encompass a café-cum-retail space, a homewares store, and a wholesale outlet. Inspired by Aryafara’s travels as a buyer in India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bali, the boho-luxe homewares range focuses on soft furnishings but extends to bags, hats, purses, stationery, lamps, bowls, table settings, and even furniture. The unique prints on the cushions, throws, quilts, and bed runners are designed and made on Bali and run from vibrant tropicals to Mediterranean-inspired Zen ( 35A Jl. Pantai Berawa; bungalowlivingbali .com).
LIMITED EDITION Also in Canggu, this dark, effortlessly cool boutique showcases the wealth of contemporary fashion talent on the island; it feels more like something you’d find in an edgy East London neighborhood than in sun-kissed Indonesia. Sandra Assiego, the driving
force behind Seminyak’s La Favela restaurant and the Vintage Century fashion brand, curates a wealth of locally created designs in shades of black, grey, and white—with perhaps a flash of silver. Don’t miss the gorgeous snakeskin clutches with silver leather linings by Indonesian accessories star Johnny Ramli, Vintage Century’s foxy biker jackets, or the slick monochrome street style of Dystopia ( 41 Jl. Pantai Berawa).
COVE ISLAND ESSENTIALS Contemporary resort style dominates this airy, considered space in a rapidly gentrifying section of Canggu’s Berawa area, offering everything from lingerie to homewares, scents, stationery, and soaps. Standouts include sensuous ceramics from Cisco and the Sun, hand-crafted by Balinese artisans trained in Japan, barely-there underwear from lingerie model Souhela Ferrah, and Cove’s own fashion line, with easy-to-wear beach-casual pieces plus the de rigeur Instagram sun hat ( 50 Jl. Pantai Berawa; coveislandessentials.com).
JOHN HARDY Bali’s best-known jewelry brand is still overseen by its namesake owner, Canadian expat John Hardy, who started crafting pieces here back in 1975. Sleek, handmade chains are the signature, showing up in bracelets, necklaces, rings, and more, while motifs such as sacred naga dragons, eagles, cobras, and bamboo add eye-catching tribal touches. Set amid lush rice paddies a 20-minute drive from Ubud, John Hardy’s open-air workshop and boutique is a destination in its own right by virtue of its groundbreaking bamboo architecture. Book a tour to see artisans in action and enjoy a Balinese lunch alongside the team
( 1 Banjar Baturning, Mambal; johnhardy.com).
GAYA CERAMIC Since relocating to Bali nearly two decades ago, Italian duo Marcello Massoni and Michela Foppiani’s earthy yet glitzy ceramic pieces have made waves across the island and beyond. Their custom ranges have graced five-star resorts by Ritz-Carlton, Aman, COMO, Bulgari, and Four Seasons, while they also design for Armani Casa and American retailer Anthropologie. Besides ever-inventive tableware and contemporary vases from the brand’s own line, the Gaya showroom in Sayan, a village just outside Ubud, highlights rare one-off pieces created by artists in residence. Phone ahead to watch potters at work in the studio or book a class at the in-house ceramic arts center ( 105 Jl. Raya Sayan; gayaceramic.com).