Resilience and Renewal: Tradisi Through the Pandemic
From 2020 to 2022, Bali—like much of the world—faced the profound challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Families across the island grieved loved ones, and though Bali managed the virus effectively and recorded relatively fewer deaths, the economic toll was immense. With tourism reduced to less than 5%, livelihoods were disrupted, businesses shuttered, and communities across Bali and its neighboring islands were deeply affected.
Yet even in adversity, Bali’s resilience shone through. The domestic travel market brought some relief, but for many, these were difficult, uncertain years. At Tradisi, we weathered the storm by strengthening our global wholesale partnerships. With international visitors scarce, our focus turned to sustaining relationships and continuing our support for Indonesian artisans. We kept purchasing batik and ikat—even at reduced volumes and margins—not to profit, but to preserve livelihoods and keep the threads of tradition alive.
We remain profoundly grateful to our wholesale clients around the world. Their loyalty and belief in our mission allowed us to continue producing cushions, bags, and overseeing custom weaving projects during the height of the crisis. These partnerships were more than just business—they were lifelines, helping us all endure.
Empowering Communities Through Innovation
Our commitment to community remained unwavering. In Lombok, our natural dye workshop, Bale Warna Alam, fell silent during the pandemic, as tourism and retail sales stalled. Yet when an order arrived from London, we pivoted—introducing tassel-making to a group of weaving women. What began as a creative response to crisis is now blossoming into a vibrant new product line. Each tassel carries not just colour and craftsmanship, but a story of adaptation and hope.
Innovation also guided our in-house design journey. We expanded into clothing—launching robes, skirts, and jackets—and enhanced our custom-made services to include simple yet elegant garments. These additions were met with enthusiasm, and early post-pandemic sales have reaffirmed our commitment to evolving while staying rooted in tradition.
Looking Ahead: Tradition with Purpose
As the world reopens and travel returns to Bali, we’ve expanded our shop and services to meet the moment. Our team stands ready, our supply chains resilient, and our commitment to Indonesian artisans stronger than ever.
By year’s end, we aim to deepen the financial support we offer to community organizations and women-led enterprises across the archipelago. Every purchase made at Tradisi directly supports this mission—fueling a network of traditional weavers, dyers, and makers whose crafts reflect the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia.
We invite you to be part of this ongoing journey. At Tradisi, every product tells a story—of resilience, collaboration, and a brighter future woven by hand.
