Weaving Traditions:
The Artistry Behind
R Collective
January 2025
Words By The Punch Editors
Photography by The R Collective
R Collective was established in Bali in 2019, driven by a simple but deep mission: to empower and celebrate ancestral techniques and ensure zero waste. Founded as a social impact venture by Rebecca Manners known as Bex, R collective is her design studio that transforms millennia-old arts and discarded materials into responsible, meaningful creations. With a background steeped in the fashion industry, Bex sought to build a circular fashion system in a world of consumerism, where rescue, reuse, and recycling come first.
Bex’s journey to Bali began in jewelry design. It was a shift from styling in New York to creating her eponymous brand Bex Rox London which was started with the idea of upcycling vintage pieces from flea markets, striving for a more sustainable approach yet due to demand Bex Rox London went to becoming a design let contemporary jewelry brand produced in South East Asian factories which Bex found to be an unsustainable way of life for her and her production. Her work with R Collective has grown to include collaborations with leading brands, transforming rural ancestral craft into new products for global markets.
The path hasn’t always been smooth–when a typhoon hit her factory in Asia in 2014, it was a reminder to embrace the hands-on craft of every culture she encountered. From Kenya to Myanmar, Bex’s saga eventually brought her to Bali. Here, her jewelry and products tell the stories of ancient traditions, shaped by the skilled touch of Balinese and Indonesian artisans who bring each piece to life with a timeless spirit.
FAST FASHION TO TIMELESS ARTISTRY
Wanting to step away from fast fashion and its repercussions; the relentless cycle of launching new jewelry collections every few months felt unsustainable and unappreciated. Deep down, she wanted to create pieces that carried cultural significance and supported local communities–an idea that had long resonated with her. It started in Kenya, where she began working with local artisans in the Kibera slums and collaborating with the Maasai tribe. Together, they crafted the “Future Warrior” collection, which debuted at Paris Fashion Week and made Bex see the true purpose behind handcrafted, meaningful creations.
Shortly after, Turquoise Mountain NGO from Myanmar reached out, inviting her to design a collection that would preserve traditional goldsmithing in the middle of turmoil from the Rohingya crisis. Unsure at first, she took a leap of faith, spending two months in Myanmar. There, a serendipitous meeting with a German photographer, who had spent 25 years documenting the country’s lost tribes, led her to join him on his trek. Living among the tribes, Bex absorbed their stories and traditions, which became the soul of her one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. This experience marked the beginning of her Asian odyssey, and she knew she was following the right path.
Bex discovered a profound connection between storytelling and healing through her jewelry, where each piece encapsulated history and supported artisans. In Bali, she followed a friend’s invitation, where her voyage deepened. She spent her days exploring on her bike, visiting villages, and observing the skilled artisans at work, learning their ancient techniques and immersing herself in the island’s craft traditions. Here, she found the heart of her craft, with culture and artistry.
EMBRACING THE SOUL OF BALI
What captivated Bex most about Bali was the way artistry was in the fabric of everyday life. She encountered jewelers nearing retirement who introduced her to their artisans and goldsmiths, inviting her to continue the legacy. But it wasn’t immediate–Bex spent over a year building trust, to be able to work with their younger generations who carried on 3,000-year-old techniques. Only after this time was she truly welcomed in, proving she wasn’t there to exploit their craft but rather to collaborate.
The turning point came when her most skilled carver asked what she’d like him to create. She requested a gajah, an elephant head. In mere minutes, the piece was complete, sparking a trail into Bali’s soul, creativity, and mastery. As she began making her jewelry collections, COVID-19 brought everything to a standstill, forcing her to make a choice: leave or stay. Her decision to remain opened the door to the exploration of Indonesia’s cultural richness, arts, and ancestral knowledge.
A twist of fate had Bex collaborating with Threads of Life where she discovered the intricate art of ikat weaving–this was the beginning of a love story with an ancient tradition that continues to inspire her. Her travels took her across islands, meeting weavers and immersing herself in techniques that connected her more profoundly to the artisans. Her vision became clear: celebrating these craftsmen and their families, ensuring their magic stays on. Today, Bex works beyond jewelry, using textiles like ikat and batik, fossils, and minerals, bringing together talented weavers across the archipelago. Her work has turned into custom collections for private clients and capsule lines for select stores. Still, at its heart, it remains about sharing the stories and traditions of the artisans while providing meaningful support for their craft.
CHANGING LIVES, ONE COLLABORATION AT A TIME
Free from the usual pressures, she began to think about how to support makers in Bali and across Indonesia who were struggling for work. Aware of the impact of overdevelopment on the island, which has changed the focus of many locals in unfortunate ways, Bex felt a responsibility to step in–not just as an artisan, but as a romantic dreamer and idealist.
Her approach is creating fair opportunities, and making sure that local artisans are compensated justly for their craft. Some are hesitant to collaborate, while others are more open, but Bex is transparent in her intentions, sharing her desire to support their work and livelihoods. The reality is dim: while Bali’s soul stands with artistry, the island’s skilled workers receive little to no government support. Bex is committed to changing that, one collaboration at a time.
KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE
Bex centers her work around the ikat technique, working with communities that have remarkable skills but lack the resources to sustain their craft. She supplies the materials needed, making sure these artisans continue weaving, where 25% of the commission for each piece when sold goes back to the communities. Bex’s purpose shone to uplift the makers and keep their traditions alive, with R Collective curating a diverse range of ikats. She shares the weavers’ stories with private clients and collectors. Some textiles are purchased as art pieces, while others are transformed into wearable art–like custom jackets. Even the smallest offcuts find new life as bags or other objects, ensuring zero waste. Each ikat is a labor of love, often taking a year or more to complete, with some requiring up to 18 months.
The essence of her work lies in authenticity, honoring local traditions while reimagining them for a Western audience. Whether it’s ikat textiles, jewelry, or carved objects, every creation shows the artistry of ancient traditional techniques, celebrating the cultural legacy in each piece.
THE ART OF SLOW CRAFT
Bex sees the problem of consumerism, especially in the Western world, as the main reason behind the fast fashion crisis. To her, working with artisans and with artisanal luxury is a philosophy–an appreciation for the handmade and the hands that create. She considers herself as a bridge between two worlds, guiding clients through a process that cannot be rushed. Each piece is a bespoke experience, made with transparency so that clients understand and respect the expedition behind the creation.
Bex’s work with locally sourced minerals is nothing short of captivating. Her “Incidental Beauty” collection showcases hand-carved pieces that reveal nature’s intricate artistry, each carrying a story millions of years in the making. Beyond the jewelry itself, R Collective’s commitment to sustainability is in the details–zero-waste packaging made from recycled grass and local incense. These thoughtful touches make the entire experience special, making sure that each piece arrives as a celebration of beauty and craftsmanship.
This approach is more than education; it’s an invitation to step into another world and witness the craft firsthand. Bex provides a book that details the process, symbolism, and stories behind each piece–whether it’s jewelry, textiles, or fossils. She knows the name of every artisan involved, making each creation a meaningful story in itself. This open, personal engagement lets her clients get answers to all the big questions–who, why, what, where, and how–developing their connection to the art and the people who bring it to life.
A DREAM FOR INDONESIA
Bex’s dream is to create a cultural center on one of Indonesia’s islands, where she will have a space dedicated to the locals. Her vision includes a permaculture farm and a natural dye garden, addressing the need for fresh food and sustainable resources in the community. The center would be a hub for cultural exchange, offering programs that delve into traditional crafts like the ikat process, or even serving as a think tank for learning and creative exploration. Although this dream is on hold for now, Bex is committed to bringing it to life. She believes in starting by empowering the local communities and nurturing a strong sense of shared purpose. Partnering with others would help smooth the process, letting her bring together weavers and artisans from around.
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.
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