FEATURES • BRANDS
Slow Fashion
Meets Slow Living:
MYSAYANG’s love
for Bali’s Craft and
Culture
January 2024
Words & Photography by The Punch
Taking on a relaxed rhythm and the art of slow living, where time stretches and softens, MYSAYANG was born in Bali in 2017–a brand that illustrates the natural flow between slow fashion and mindful living. MYSAYANG, meaning “My Love”, breathes life into natural fabrics with simple lines and timeless, hand-dyed colors that celebrate the island’s essence. Each piece is made with care, supporting over 20 local tailor families across Bali, while materials are sourced across the region. There, artisans work without electricity, honoring age-old techniques that keep tradition alive. The brand’s commitment to sustainability is in the hand-loomed fabric, each garment designed to be unisex and universally fitting–a quiet nod to inclusivity and enduring style.
The creative soul behind MYSAYANG, Munich-born Anya Kukofka, has transitioned from the fast-paced world of Scandinavian fashion–such as Marc O’Polo–to the serene landscapes of Bali. Her path took a turn during the big earthquake in Tokyo, leading to a wake-up call and prompting her to leave her job and embark on a journey of discovery.
Bali’s slow and simple living, natural beauty, and the freedom it offered captured her heart. Freedom is one of her core values, which grew from a deep connection with the island’s lifestyle, working with local tailors and fabrics. MYSAYANG was established in 2017, where every collection is inspired by the nature in Bali combined with the contrast of pulsating big city energies like Bangkok and Tokyo and Anja’s love for Europe. This evolved into an authentic fashion brand that reflects the values of her life.
THE CORE OF BALINESE LIVING
Living simply and slowly is the path to true happiness. On this entrancing island, the Balinese way of life shows that contentment happens not from abundance but from enjoying the present moment. Their culture, rooted in mindfulness, offers a striking contrast to the frenetic pace of European life, offering a deeper appreciation for each experience.
Taking on the Balinese lifestyle, Anya developed a deep appreciation for the island's artisans and their old handmade traditions. She believes in trust and loyalty, using natural fabrics in their original colors inspired by the island’s earthy tones. Her connection with the MYSAYANG family–tailors, friends, customers, and dogs–goes far beneath the surface. Her rescue dog, Spoty, is what Anya considers one of Bali’s greatest gifts to her.
This defining moment in her journey made her distance herself from mass production and the fast fashion industry, allowing her to focus on the intricate details of her old-school sketches and patterns, hand-cut clothes, and hand-screen prints. Anya now invites her customers to celebrate the intentional beauty of slow fashion and slow living, creating a deeper connection between individuals and the art of mindful creation.
REDEFINING STYLE THROUGH AUTHENTICITY
Anya believes that authenticity, courage, and passion are the pillars of a meaningful and free life. To her, true success means welcoming change without fear and living wholeheartedly while pursuing your dreams. She believes that if everyone pursued their passions, the world would be a better place. At MYSAYANG, Anya takes pride in being a distinctive force in the industry, unbound by trends or conventional style guidelines. Each season, the brand creates a signature visual identity that genuinely reflects the brand–inspired by natural elements, honoring nature, respecting cultural traditions, and supporting Bali’s talented makers.
HONOURING LOCAL CRAFTSMANSHIP
MYSAYANG has a strong devotion to supporting local artisans, therefore the team selects natural fabrics from nearby sources and collaborates with small, local suppliers. Among their favorites is a modest coconut and cotton farm in Java, where a dedicated group of women spin each thread by hand using traditional spinning wheels. The cotton is then hand-loomed without electricity which proves to be one of the most eco-friendly production methods available. Discovering such artisans is a rare find, as the art of creating entirely handmade, non-electric textiles is increasingly scarce in today’s world.
EMBRACING NATURE'S PALETTE
Keeping nature pure is part of MYSAYANG’s work ethic and this is evident in every fabric sourced exclusively from Indonesian suppliers who make each piece with care. Combined with plant-based colors, the dyeing process draws from earthy tones and the natural world, displaying the authentic connection to the environment. Respect for handcraft and cultural traditions guides MYSAYANG’s practices, making sure that every photo shoot lessens environmental impact and celebrates local customs. The collection, “Cloud Blue,” is all about the serene moment when the setting sun merges with the sky, sharing the stories of nature that inspire each shade.
A SMALL-SCALE BUSINESS MODEL
For MYSAYANG, the journey with local artisans on the island reveals a thoughtful approach to fashion: making one-size pieces for a more sustainable future. This choice helps to avoid sizing issues and excess inventory, as each garment is made to order. By focusing on quality over quantity, the brand supports a small-scale, organic, and sustainable business model.
The raw beauty of nature surrounded by a smart ecosystem encourages Anya and her team to pay attention to how to treat the world, how to save it, and what to leave behind–it’s a commitment to preserve in every aspect. Rainwater, collected for washing, and fabric leftovers used for packaging, illustrate the brand’s dedication to reducing plastic waste. By maintaining a handcrafted, local production process, the brand avoids the negative consequences of fast fashion, making sure growth aligns with all of its core values.
SLOW FASHION'S CHALLENGES
The path to realizing MYSAYANG’s vision in Bali has been one of resilience and discovery. Finding local production partners who uphold sustainable practices hasn’t come easy, yet the team has uncovered kindred spirits who share their values. There’s a tangible pride in the connections made, with a dedicated team standing by the brand since its early days in 2017.
Adapting to the high standards Anya brought from Germany has been both a challenge and a catalyst for growth. Fueled by passion and careful planning, the MYSAYANG team has welcomed these demands, finding ways to thrive. Pricing remains a delicate balancing act, as sustainability often comes with added costs. To keep things accessible, they’ve found creative solutions–designing their own showroom, sourcing fabrics locally to avoid costly imports, and investing in eco-conscious construction. Each decision supports MYSAYANG’s commitment to fair, competitive pricing while staying true to their vision in the ever-evolving world of fashion.
MYSAYANG'S FUTURE FOUNDATIONS
Anya’s showroom for MYSAYANG shows the brand's core values of simplicity, minimalism, and authenticity. Constructed from raw concrete, it offers a sustainable and low-maintenance aesthetic. Every aspect of the showroom reflects the brand's commitment to supporting local artisans, as tailors remain engaged year-round, and close, long-term partnerships with suppliers create mutual growth. Anya hopes to inspire others to follow their passions and embrace their authentic selves, recognizing that the shift towards slow fashion within the fast-paced industry occurs gradually, step by step.
Additionally, MYSAYANG is expanding with a new studio next to her showroom, dedicated to growth. This space will be used to create new collections with her local home tailor families in Bali–through community gatherings, and workshops, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and local initiatives. In her efforts to honor the land, Anya plans to preserve all existing trees and plants. No palm or banana trees will be harmed; instead, one resilient coconut palm tree will be carefully relocated to ensure its continued vitality.
In a delightful leap across borders, MYSAYANG has made its mark in Paris, with products now showcased at the Merci concept store in Paris. This international presence enriches the Bali-inspired sustainable brand narrative, and the latest collection–featuring earth tones and indigo blues–recently debuted at the Paris Trade Show. Anya also provides support on a global scale and an example of this is with Mudiro–an organization in Namibia that builds hospitals, kindergartens, and water pipes. As of today, MYSAYANG has built two kindergartens with them, and the third one is set for 2025. She hopes to spread more awareness for the big players around the globe, to create more social responsibility, and to put a stop to fast fashion.
EXPLORE THE FULL STORY IN UNCOVERED BALI BOOK
Uncovered Bali is a collective project showcasing the sustainable journeys of carefully selected Bali businesses to a global audience. Each story highlights the unique impact these enterprises have on preserving Bali’s cultural and environmental heritage while driving positive change. Through this project, we aim to inspire global leaders, travelers, and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and appreciate the powerful role that local businesses play in shaping a better future.
EXPLORE THE PUNCH