Our Story

Hi, my name is Lita, and I’m the founder and owner of Atelier Nyonya.

Atelier Nyonya came to life during a particularly stressful period in my life—last year, when I was writing my master's thesis. My one outlet for stress relief, a trusty pasta machine, broke down, leaving me without a way to unwind. At the same time, I was preparing for my graduation (assuming I would graduate) and was determined to wear something truly special for the occasion. I searched high and low for a kebaya or batik that felt right, but nothing was available in the Netherlands. Although I owned plenty of kebayas and batiks, the specific style I envisioned simply wasn’t accessible. It was during this chaotic time that the idea for Atelier Nyonya started to take shape—a mix of frustration, serendipity, and passion.

Before moving to the Netherlands, I spent ten years building my own company in Indonesia. I started it from the ground up—no outside help, no loans—just sheer hard work and belief in my vision. It wasn’t easy. I faced countless setbacks and disappointments, but my passion for what I was doing kept me going. Those ten years taught me invaluable lessons, not only about running a business but also about resilience. When I eventually moved to the Netherlands, I had to shut the company down, even though it was thriving.

Starting over in a new country in my mid-30s was a whole new challenge. I had to take on a salaried job, which was tough for someone like me. I’ve always been a bit unconventional—I prefer doing things my way. On top of that, I often found myself underestimated. As a brown woman, people made assumptions about me, questioning my capabilities. Promotions slipped through my fingers because I didn’t have the “right paper,” whatever that meant. That’s when I decided to pursue my academic journey. In 2020, in my 40s, I enrolled in what I jokingly call “the most expensive streaming service” — school.

The idea for Atelier Nyonya (it was named TSJ by Lita before) had sparked earlier, back in 2021 during the height of the pandemic. At the time, I started an online store as a way to navigate the uncertainties of that period. However, with school consuming all my time, I ended up neglecting it for almost three years. Even so, my entrepreneurial spirit never faded—it’s simply part of who I am.

After graduating, I made a firm decision: I wasn’t going back to being a salaried employee. I wanted to create something that reflected my passions, something that felt truly mine. That’s when it all clicked—I could combine my love for batik and kebaya with my entrepreneurial drive.

Over the past decade, I’ve noticed how batik and kebaya have been experiencing a revival among younger generations in Indonesia. When I lived there, I often incorporated batik into my work wardrobe, whether as dresses or skirts. More recently, I started wearing kebaya again, particularly casual styles made by small Indonesian businesses. They were stunningly beautiful and versatile. That’s when I realized this was exactly what I wanted to create and share. And so, Atelier Nyonya was born.

For me, at 46, Atelier Nyonya is more than just a business. It’s a reflection of my journey—my resilience, creativity, and determination to build something meaningful on my terms. It’s about honouring the artistry and cultural significance of batik and kebaya while sharing their beauty with a broader audience. Through Atelier Nyonya, I’m not just selling garments; I’m sharing a story—a story of reinvention, perseverance, and following your passion, no matter where life takes you.