Innovation

Heritage Bay imports authentic batik made using traditional methods and handcrafted goods from small craft workshops throughout Southeast Asia, transforming them into modern designs that can be worn by customers worldwide. Instead of relying on mass screen printing, the company places small orders (usually 50–100 pieces) with 4–5 craft business partners, providing stable, predictable work that supports a total of 20–25 artisans and workers. This small-batch sourcing approach preserves traditional craft techniques while providing artisans with a reliable income.

To expand market access and consumer education, Heritage Bay uses a hybrid retail approach: pop-up events to tell artisans' stories directly to customers, two rented retail showrooms in Singapore, and event-based business-to-business collaborations (corporate gift bags, weddings). They also document the production process on-site with videos to increase transparency and help customers understand the craftsmanship and time required for each product. This storytelling element is central to the innovation, which changes consumer perceptions from “cheap printed batik” to valuable handcrafted works, enabling the company to set fair prices and maintain the business's financial sustainability.

Looking ahead, Heritage Bay is trialing sustainability improvements (organic/recycled cotton, replacing paraffin with beeswax, experimenting with natural dyes such as coffee grounds) to better align production with SDG targets. By combining ethical sourcing, partnerships with artisans, education through retail, and product design tailored for everyday use, the company is creating a replicable model that simultaneously preserves cultural heritage and generates decent jobs and responsible production.

Inspiration

Miguel's inspiration comes from his experience with traditional clothing and his travels, which have shaped his thinking. On a family trip to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia in 2017, he met local artisans selling beautiful, affordable crafts, and his mother's purchase of a teak cutting board inspired him to connect these artisans with a wider market. Miguel says he wants to create a platform to “connect local artisans with a global audience,” and he turned to fashion because clothing offers higher margins, easier shipping, and stronger narrative potential.

Miguel founded Heritage Bay because he cares about preserving the authenticity and originality of batik. He points out that “80-90% of batik sold globally is fake,” made through mass printing, threatening traditional techniques and the livelihoods of artisans. This statistic forms the basis of the company's mission, which is not merely to sell beautiful clothing but to revive authentic techniques, provide reliable orders to small workshops, and educate consumers to appreciate artisans' work. The founder's personal curiosity, respect for craftsmanship, and practical understanding of fashion scalability drive a business model focused on fair batch sharing, transparent narratives (video documentation of the production process), and a retail format that allows customers to connect with the story behind the product.

Miguel also sees this business as a way to create measurable social impact: facilitating sustainable part-time work in Singapore, stabilizing artisans' incomes through repeat orders, and pursuing long-term sustainability trials (eco-friendly fabrics and natural dyes) when costs allow. Cultural preservation, economic dignity for artisans, and practical business design are at the core of Heritage Bay's innovation.

Overall impact

The innovation at Heritage Bay has created both social and cultural impact by bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern fashion. Founded in 2024, the initiative connects artisans from Indonesia, including Tasikmalaya and Yogyakarta, as well as from Da Nang, Vietnam, with global consumers through small-batch, handmade batik apparel, bags, and art. In the short term, this innovation has generated sustainable income for 20–25 artisans and local workers, empowering small workshops and preserving authentic batik techniques that are often overshadowed by mass-produced imitations.

In the long term, Heritage Bay’s model contributes to the broader sustainability agenda by aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 8, 9, and 12: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and Responsible Consumption and Production. The company fosters fair employment opportunities, promotes sustainable production practices, and introduces innovation to traditional industries through modern design, digital marketing, and storytelling. Heritage Bay also invests in eco-friendly material research, such as using organic fabrics, beeswax, and natural dyes, to build a more sustainable creative economy.

Evidence of the innovation’s impact can be seen through its growing artisan partnerships, pop-up events, and retail presence in Singapore, which have increased public awareness of authentic batik’s cultural and artistic value. By merging cultural heritage with modern infrastructure and innovation, Heritage Bay demonstrates how creative industries can drive inclusive economic growth, empower local communities, and preserve cultural traditions for future generations.

Business benefit

By developing a platform that connects Southeast Asian artisans with global consumers, Heritage Bay has achieved measurable business growth and strengthened its operational foundation. Since its official launch in 2024, the company has built partnerships with 4-5 artisan groups, each employing 4-5 skilled workers, supporting a total network of approximately 20-25 artisans. Through a structured production system of 50-100 handcrafted pieces per batch, the business ensures consistent product availability while minimizing overproduction and waste.

Heritage Bay’s innovative blend of cultural storytelling and modern retail has significantly expanded its market reach. Within its first year, the company has grown its direct-to-consumer sales through pop-up events in Indonesia and established two retail spaces in Singapore. These efforts have increased brand visibility, customer loyalty, and international demand. Furthermore, the introduction of B2B collaborations, such as corporate gifting and wedding collections, has diversified the company’s revenue streams, contributing to long-term financial resilience.

By leveraging digital storytelling through videography and social media, Heritage Bay has strengthened customer engagement and built a brand identity rooted in authenticity, craftsmanship, and cultural appreciation. This innovative approach has not only improved sales performance and retention but also positioned Heritage Bay as a leading example of how traditional art forms can thrive within a modern, scalable business model, opening pathways for future investment and regional expansion.

Social and environmental benefit

Heritage Bay’s innovation delivers significant social, cultural, and environmental benefits across Southeast Asia. The company provides sustainable livelihoods for over 20 artisans from regions such as Tasikmalaya, Yogyakarta, and Da Nang, ensuring fair wages, steady production orders, and global recognition for their craftsmanship. By prioritizing handmade batik and hand-sewn goods, the company safeguards traditional artistry in an industry where 80-90% of batik sold globally is counterfeit or machine-printed. This model uplifts local communities while preserving cultural identity through meaningful, dignified work.

Environmentally, Heritage Bay actively aligns its practices with Sustainable Development Goals 8, 9, and 12 (Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and Responsible Consumption and Production). The company is piloting eco-conscious production methods, including organic or recycled cotton fabrics, beeswax in place of paraffin, and natural dyes derived from flowers and waste coffee grounds. These innovations reduce chemical waste and promote sustainable textile production.

Interviews

Miguel Bay, The Founder & CEO

Paul Quigley, Lecturer in HRM & OB

Watch video