About

About Batik

The inspiration behind the boutique.

I grew up vacationing on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and my mom and I were the best of shopping buddies when it came to browsing coastal wear. We were quick to mark our calendars when a trunk show was coming to town, and would look forward to meeting new designers. I would light up being surrounded by the bright prints and patterns, and each time I would come home with a beautiful new purchase, it would bring such joy to my closet. Especially when I returned from vacation, feeling nostalgic about all of the fond memories I had just made. I couldn't wait to open my suitcase again, and pack those items for my next adventure. The inspiration for Batik was born from a desire to bring more small, curated collections to Chicago, just like the ones I discovered on those trips with my mom.

I hope Batik becomes an oasis for you in the city, and a destination for adding unique, timeless pieces to your closet and home.

With a happy heart,

Styling with a colorful flair.

BEHIND THE NAME

Batik (noun): A unique method of producing colored designs on textiles by dyeing them

The origins of the batik method of dyeing fabric go back centuries, with ties to Southeast Asia. I married into a Malaysian family and have enjoyed learning their perspective on the history of this beautiful art form. My husband helped name the store and it means a lot to both of us that my business goes by a Malay word.

The store's name celebrates the craftsmanship behind this creative process, and pays homage to the artisans who hand-dye and block print the clothes we carry in our store. It's a nod to the origins of the colorful prints and patterns that have come to define resort wear fashion.

I believe where we choose to source our apparel matters and I'm proud to support brands that in turn, uplift the local artisans who create our clothing from these beautiful fabrics using these methods.