The word Bali is enough to conjure up images of breathtaking views, beautiful art and stunning temples. “The Island of Gods” as many refer to it as, captured my heart from the moment I stepped foot onto this picturesque island. The warm hospitality and uniquely profound culture is truly an experience for your mind, body and soul.

I was surprised with the different forms of Balinese art I came across while in Bali, including intricate wood carvings, beautiful paintings by local artists, and hand-crafted lace, none of which I could resist! During my time in Seminyak I stumbled upon a beautiful store carrying the most gorgeous handmade lace I have ever seen. I swooned over everything in sight, from the elaborate tops and dresses to the eye-catching pants and accessories. I must have spent a good hour trying everything on, with one of my favourite pieces being these simple yet detailed Balinese lace pants. The rayon makes them super comfy and breathable, and the lace detailing at the bottom adds the perfect touch of glam to any outfit. I love the clever little drawstring at the bottom of the pants, as you can pull and taper them in at the bottom (a good idea when you’re out and about on a busy day), or leave them open for a wide-leg look.

The detailing in every piece is impeccable, so needless to say I can’t wait to share with you all the story behind the Uluwatu Handmade Balinese Lace brand. Wondering where you can purchase handmade Balinese lace pieces? Curious as to where it all started? I caught up with the team behind this growing store for an exclusive interview, only on Kiki Khosla!

What was the inspiration behind creating the Uluwatu Handmade Balinese Lace brand?

The story began nearly 3 decades ago in the small beach village of Kuta. A young Balinese girl named Ni Made Jati introduced Balinese lace to foreigners that travelled from afar, searching for an undiscovered craft. From the growing demand of her garments, Made Jati was able to travel overseas to the U.S. to sell her lace products in the markets of San Francisco. Upon her return to Bali 9 months later, Made built a small factory. She named her company ULUWATU, after an 11th century Balinese Hindu Temple, balanced upon a cliff top 70 metres above the Indian Ocean, a place held sacred in the heard of Made, her family, and the Balinese people. For over 30 years Uluwatu has drawn upon these natural skills to produce lace of a unique quality.

How are the designs made into lace?

This lace work, known in English as cutwork, is called krawang in Balinese. Uluwatu krawang is made in the traditional way. Lace is stretched on bamboo hoops and sewn by hand using foot-powered machines, identical to the old Singer machines which are now seen only as antiques to the rest of the world. If you take a few minutes to compare lace from Uluwatu with cheaper copies, you will quickly feel the difference in the quality of the material, workmanship, and finishing. Our pieces are signed by the artisans who made them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How long does an average pair of pants take to make?

The average time for a pair of pants like yours is 2 – 5 days, with full lace dresses taking up to 14 days to make.

Are you working on any new product lines?

We are currently focusing on ladies wear, accessories, bed & table linens, as well as custom-made wedding dresses. We are looking to develop a collection for men and children in the near future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A handmade custom Balinese lace wedding dress, ek! How long would something like that take to make?

Our custom made wedding dresses take the longest to make of all pieces, ranging from 30 – 60 days. In 2012, Uluwatu launched this new line of service under Treasures of Uluwatu. We can create a beautiful dress made exclusively for your special day!

What is your most popular selling item?

Our tops and dresses are our best sellers.

How often do you add new styles to your line-up?

We have a new collection for release 2 times a year; in December/ January, and in June/ July.

Do you offer shipping to Canada, and the rest of the world?

Yes, we ship worldwide through our shipping partner, TNT (shipping cost & duty tax are to be paid by the customer).

Pants: Jasmina Pants

Handbag: Prada, similar here

Shop the Uluwatu Handmade Balinese Lace collection here.

Thank you to the Uluwatu Handmade Balinese Lace team for this exclusive interview.

Shoot location – local (Ontario). Stay tuned for a Bali travel post soon!

xo, Kiki