She browsed through racks of children’s clothes before their arrival, eager to find pieces that radiated joy and individuality. But she often left disappointed. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands – quite literally.
With a portable sewing machine and YouTube tutorials on hand, she began stitching rompers and accessories for her girls. The patterned fabric of her choice? Batik.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, she said: “Each batik piece has a story to tell. It has been made by artisans with love. It’s very intricate and colourful.”
Today, what started as a mother’s personal project has blossomed into a thriving business. She offers an impressive range of products made from batik for men, women and children.
The idea of starting the business sparked when friends, charmed by the clothes she made for her daughters, began placing orders. Demand grew through word of mouth, leading to the birth of “Craft bynishapuvan” in 2021.
“I started with kids’ clothes, but soon families began asking for outfits too. They wanted to look coordinated without feeling like they were in identical uniforms.
“So, I started creating different styles with the fabric, giving everyone the chance to express their own personality while still keeping that family connection,” explained Nisha, who now has two employees helping with the tailoring.
Her designs began reflecting Malaysia’s rich multicultural heritage when she started using batik for sarees, Punjabi suits, lehenga, cheongsams and Mandarin-collared men’s shirts.
“After I started working with batik, I realised how versatile it is – it can be fashioned into both modern and traditional wear,” said Nisha.
She added: “There’s so much diversity in multicultural Malaysia and we have various celebrations like Deepavali and Chinese New Year. So, I believe that using our batik to make traditional wear for these special occasions truly speaks volumes about who we are.”
An internal medicine specialist by profession, Nisha also found a way to bring batik into the workplace. When it became mandatory for federal civil servants to wear Malaysian batik on Thursdays, Nisha had a lightbulb moment.
“I simply asked myself: ‘Why not scrubs in batik?’ That idea changed everything,” she recalled with a smile.
It wasn’t long before her scrubs caught the attention of her colleagues, and orders began pouring in. Word spread quickly, and soon healthcare workers across Malaysia were reaching out, keen to brighten their workday with Nisha’s scrubs.
It’s obvious why her scrubs are a hit – they’re eye-catching and comfortable, with three spacious pockets. She tailors scrubs for both men and women: the men’s in a straight cut and the women’s with a more tailored fit.
The demand for these scrubs didn’t stop at home – Nisha has received orders from Malaysian healthcare workers in Australia, the UK and the US as well.
“It’s nice to know that our batik is going out there, and they’re happy to bring a bit of Malaysia with them to work,” said Nisha, adding that Malaysians overseas have also ordered her batik cheongsams and lehengas.
Another mission of the business, Nisha shared, is to support local batik artisans. All the batik fabric she uses – whether they are hand-drawn, stamped or printed – is crafted by Malaysians, mainly from Kelantan.
“For too long, batik has been labelled old-fashioned or only reserved for formal events. Today, customers tell us our pieces have changed their minds: they now see batik as stylish and versatile.
“Feedback like this is especially meaningful, because it shows that we’re not only creating clothing, but also helping people see batik in a new light and keeping the tradition relevant for today,” she said.
“Malaysia’s greatest strength is our diversity. Whether it’s batik scrubs, cheongsam or lehenga, each garment speaks of heritage and together they tell a story of unity.
“When Malaysians embrace our shared multicultural identity, we do more than honour tradition – we define the future,” she said.
Learn more about ‘Craft bynishapuvan’ on Instagram. For more information, contact 012-4444002.