FEATURES • BRANDS
Reimagining The
Fashion Landscape:
RIMMBA, Inspired by
the Natural World
January 2025
Words & Photography by The Punch
RIMMBA is rewriting the rules of fashion, tying together botanical colors, artisan heritage, and social impact into each garment. Founder and Designer, Karunia Fischer, a Bali-born third-culture kid with Swiss and American-Filipino roots, has a profound passion for the environment. At the heart of her brand’s creations lies a deep reverence for Bali’s beauty; each garment is proof of the island's cultural legacy, handmade with detail-oriented care by local artisans. From flowing silk dresses to contemporary yet elegant blouses, camisoles, skirts, and trousers–all garments are botanically dyed and share the stories and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Rimba meaning "deep forest" or "wild jungle" in Indonesian, imparts the feeling of untamed beauty, hidden treasures, and deep wisdom. For Karunia, rimba represents more than just a physical landscape; it's a metaphor for the inner journey of self-discovery and transformation. Just as the jungle hides secrets waiting to be uncovered, RIMMBA invites women to explore the depths of their intuition and embrace a more conscious way of living.
FROM GARDEN PLAY TO HEALING ARTISTRY
Karunia’s unbreakable bond with nature and fashion began in early childhood while growing up in an artistic village in Ubud. Her first experience with natural dyes on textiles came about when she was around four, in her garden in Ubud when her parents created a tipi from bamboo and canvas, where the highlight was painting pictures on the canvas using handmade pigments. Rice paddy mud made a dark brown, betel nuts made a red, pounded turmeric root juice made yellow, and butterfly pea flowers imparted a blue. Karunia’s first fashion design courses began in 5th grade as after-school workshops included drawing designs, purchasing fabrics, and taking them directly to tailors to be custom-made.
The courses reached a meaningful peak in a fashion show where Karunia walked the runway proudly wearing her designs. What began as playful afternoons in the garden and extra-curricular studies in primary school blossomed into RIMMBA, a social enterprise with a mission to reveal her passion in supporting the sustainable fashion industry.
RIMMBA is Karunia’s lovechild for Bali where she also instils her fascination with the alchemy of creating natural colors from botanical sources. The brand stands for much more as it’s also committed to regenerating resources, restoring planetary health, and building prosperous communities for generations to come.
BUILDING A REGENERATIVE ECONOMY
Each year, an estimated 92 million tons of textile waste is generated globally. Of this massive amount, only 12% is recycled, leaving the rest to languish in landfills where it leaches toxic chemicals, releases greenhouse gases, and takes centuries to decompose. Karunia is a strong believer that pre-loved or rejected garments should never end up in landfills. This is why she designs the wearables to be timeless and cherished for a lifetime. All the attire collections are made for durability to make sure that the natural textiles are used effectively and will endure tests of wear and time.
Karunia’s key to preventing textile waste is a well-planned pattern layout and expressive use of all pieces of fabric. Adding to this, Karunia found that she could minimize and maximize resource utilization by repurposing cut-offs and scraps into accessories, home goods, and packaging. She also developed an innovation to create new textiles by stitching together scraps and then over-dyeing–the results are stunning.
RIMMBA has reduced 98% of fabric waste through innovative strategies. Her approach to preventing textile waste is a well-planned pattern layout and the creative use of all pieces of fabric. Adding to this, Karunia found that by repurposing their cutoffs and scraps accessories, home goods, packaging materials, and new over-dyed textiles, the brand could minimize waste and maximize resource usage.
Karunia Fischer stands strongly behind building a regenerative ecosystem that nourishes both people and the planet. From ethical sourcing and fair-trade practices to minimizing waste and supporting regenerative agriculture, the brand creates a positive impact at every step. Furthermore, the garments can be repaired and re-dyed between wears and then repurposed to be forever loved and always cherished, proving that fast fashion and following trends is an outdated mindset.
RIMMBA’s sustainability goals are deeply rooted in principles of Regenerative Economy and Karunia is committed to leading the charge in this effort. All attire is made from 100% natural fabrics which include certified OEKO and GOTS organic cotton, traceable organic linen from Portugal, and genuine mulberry silk. Soon the company will be sourcing regenerative mulberry silk and hopes that eventually all of its textiles will be certified as regenerative organic.
COLOURING THE WORLD FOR A NON-TOXIC LEGACY
While synthetic chemical textile dyeing and finishing processes release a cocktail of hazardous chemicals into waterways, devastating ecosystems and endangering human health, RIMMBA sources local botanicals to make their own natural, non-toxic, biodegradable dyes. Indigo, mahogany, mango ketapang leaves, sappanwood, annotto and avocado seeds, shallot skins, mangosteen skins, and marigold flowers are all part of a palette of botanical colors that are as rich as they are sustainable. The innovative techniques not only lessen the environmental impact but also impart colors that are uniquely rich and nuanced.
The dyeing process is a true art form, requiring patience, skill, and an intimate knowledge of the plants and minerals used. The brand also uses natural bio-mordants and non-toxic salt mordants and has developed innovative techniques to guarantee better fixation of the botanical dyes and improve longevity, decrease water use, elevating the overall sustainability of its production method.
The result is clothing that feels as unique as it looks, each piece carrying the spirit of the land and the hands that brought it to life. With local botanicals to make its own natural, non-toxic, biodegradable dyes, grounding each creation in nature’s hues. Using natural mordants and non-toxic salt mordants, the team has refined their process to make sure each color lasts, minimizing water use while enhancing the sustainability of every garment. Through these thoughtful techniques, purpose, and beauty are behind each piece, creating garments that honor both the earth and the artistry behind them.
CODE OF ETHICS
The RIMMBA Code of Ethics lies in a commitment to creating a healthy work environment, where every employee is valued with fair wages and a chance to grow both personally and professionally. This dedication goes into remote Balinese villages like Tejakula in the north and Desa Tenganan in the east, forming real connections with artisans to help preserve traditions that have stood for centuries. By collaborating with village cooperatives, local ventures, and small enterprises, the brand not only empowers these communities but also weaves a unique cultural richness into each of its designs.
As a proud member of the Jiwa Garden–a Bali-based non-profit focused on regenerative agriculture education–it’s a devotion to giving back. This involvement creates a deeper understanding of sustainable practices, inspiring others to adopt regenerative approaches and build a more sustainable future.
THE MAGIC OF SEASONAL DYEING
Karunia works with seasonal fruits, harvesting them at their peak, which is in line with the ever-changing rhythms of nature. Each season brings a new palette, adding a sense of anticipation to the process as she creates vibrant colors through dyeing. Whether boiling seeds, bark, leaves, or flowers, each material requires a unique method–flowers, for instance, need gentler heat to preserve their hues.
Karunia is passionate about honoring the wisdom of Indonesia’s artisan heritage by using dyes from native botanicals that, in turn, honor the wisdom of generations past and create a non-toxic legacy. First, her team gathers botanicals and transforms the essence of Bali’s rich biodiversity into genuine colors where artisans then apply pigments onto natural textiles before RIMMBA garments are sewn into the original fashion designs in their atelier.
She also collaborates with local Bali restaurants, repurposing avocado seeds from Tacos Aqui, creating soft pink and mauve tones, while shallot skins from Tickle My Pickle yield bright, golden yellows. These connections within the food and beverage community have brought both inspiration and earth-friendly practices to her work.
THE KOMOREBI COLLECTION
The latest collection, Komorebi, draws its name and inspiration from the Japanese word for sunlight filtering through leaves. There’s a quiet romance in the way light dances on walls, whether during the day or under the moon’s soft glow. Capturing this delicate beauty became the heart of this collection, reflected in the echo print scarves that mirror the gentle interplay of leaves and flowers. What makes Komorebi truly special is how it marks the skilled artistry of the team. The dedication and hard work are shown with each piece.
MINDFUL THREADS: CONNECTING WOMEN & NATURE
Nature and sustainability unconditionally become one. With responsibility for zero-waste designs, the team uses every scrap of fabric to make sure nothing is discarded or sent to landfills. This minimal approach is also seen in their plastic use and packaging, always aiming to reduce environmental impact. The brand’s true mission is to connect women with nature and nurture a more mindful relationship with their surroundings. By showcasing the beauty and potential of regenerative practices, Karunia believes a movement can be built to transcend borders and transform the way consumers think about clothing.
RIMMBA'S NEXT CHAPTER
Karunia sees RIMMBA opening its first boutique, with dreams of one day expanding in both Bali and abroad. The idea of creating a silk farm has also begun to take shape in her mind. She imagines being fully immersed in the process, from nurturing the silkworms to weaving the delicate material, making sure that her brand is connected to the entire cycle of creation. She hopes that everyone who wears her brand’s garment will feel closer to the natural world.
Additionally, Karunia is committed to growing deeper connections between individuals and nature by offering educational workshops to immerse women in the process of dyeing their creations, bringing them closer to nature and in direct contact with native, medicinal botanicals that also impart authentic colors. People will remember the way you make them feel, which is a statement RIMMBA strongly stands by through their pieces–to make wearers feel loved, celebrated, and connected with nature. With their educational gatherings, the brand encourages a greater appreciation for the healing power of plants.
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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