These Malaysian designers are passionate in keeping traditional batik alive

Nik Noor Amira Nik Najib is one of a growing number of young, local designers who are finding inspiration in the ancient art form they grew up with. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong

Nik Noor Amira Nik Najib was working as a sales executive, dressing up in typical office wear – plain skirts, collared shirts and blazers – when she started getting bored of donning the same wardrobe every day.

Unable to find corporate attire that appealed to her, she decided to fuse her love for batik with corporate attire, and designed a pencil skirt using batik.