Malaysian designer Fern Chua offers a fresh, stylish take on batik

With a tagline “The New Batik”, Fern Chua's designs for women are seen as softer and subtler in its approach to the traditional art form. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong

There is no doubt about it, traditional batik is indeed beautiful. Yet, there is also a certain appeal to the new, trendy batikwear that younger designers are coming up with these days.

Take for instance, 32-year-old Fern Chua. With a tagline “The New Batik”, her eponymous label’s designs for women are seen as softer and subtler in its approach to the traditional art form.