Hello! Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Bella. Having grown up on the multicultural and vibrant island of Bali, I have decided to embark on a journey to create unique batik corsets. As a Designer that is half Balinese and half British I found it important to incorporate representations of synergies within my designs, combining the past with the present, the local and the international. My culture and my passion for fashion have always been an important aspect that makes up my identity, I hope you enjoy it.
“As a Designer that is half Balinese and half British I found it important to incorporate representations of synergies within my designs, combining the past with the present, the local and the international.”
Project Bija began as a passion project for Bella, inspired by the intricate patterns and traditional techniques to create “Batik” textiles. She sought out a way in which women could incorporate cultural fabrics into their everyday life. After the release of the first corset, interest grew rapidly, from local markets to international ones. A simple Instagram story became the catalyst for expansion.
The reason why it’s called “Project Bija” (nicknamed Bija) is because it has remarkably created a community of fashion and culture aficionados, whose inputs make up the integral workings and identity of the brand. It refers to the idea that a “project” is one that is never ending but continuously evolving. As previously mentioned, Bija first began working with Batik fabrics and has since moved on to their next collection which is based around Balinese textiles. The reason is as it is where Bella was born, giving life to a brand where the designer had been given life herself.
Bija is a journey that is never-ending, its designs link the many roads of culture and time, symbolizing the seed of life. The name “bija”, pronounced “bee-juh”, is a multifaceted name, referring back to the designer (Bella) and the rice placed on one’s forehead and chest after Sembahyang (Hindu prayers), helping its wearer achieve clarity.
Our mission is to help nurture the Indonesian fashion scene to embody its rich history and to assist its integration into the contemporary. We believe it is our responsibility to educate and spread awareness of the complex histories that come with the fabrics we chose to make our corsets with.
Furthermore, our aim is to provide an accessible way for women to integrate traditional Indonesian fabric into their everyday lives. At its current state, Bija only works with Batik and Balinese textiles, wanting to expand the community and appreciation of cultural individuality, it is our mission to incorporate various textiles from all over Indonesia.
Inclusivity, cultural pride, and appreciation are indispensable to Project Bija.
Priding ourselves as a slow fashion brand Bija corsets are not only one of a kind but made to last. We pledge to reduce our environmental impact as much as possible, reducing our footprint by only working with locally sourced materials and having them made as close to home as possible <3.
Our mission is to help nurture the Indonesian fashion scene to embody its rich history and to assist its integration into the contemporary. We believe it is our responsibility to educate and spread awareness of the complex histories that come with the fabrics we chose to make our corsets with.
