We introduce you to a BULIBASHA, renowned young footwear brand from Bali, behind which stands a young woman with a humane work philosophy, using mostly sustainable plant materials during the process of making shoes. 

Let’s go on an exciting cruise through the story of the Bulibasha brand and their sustainable must-have shoes.

When did you start thinking about launching Bulibasha brand?

In 2018, I went to Morocco for six months, where the story began. However, that country was very challenging to live in, so I decided to back to Bali, where I have been living since 2013. I knew that Indonesia has a lot of natural materials that we can use in production, but also people who are very skilled in manual work, and there is a huge possibility that I will succeed if I start a job there. Over time it turned out that I was right.

Where do you get the sources of inspiration, for all the creative ideas and the brand’s aesthetic?

There is plenty of inspiration here. Indonesia is a country with a mesmerizing nature, with different ethnic groups, and they all have their style. One morning drive is enough by motorbike through rice fields, on the beach, or in the jungle, and along the way, I breathe in various ideas that I can apply in design. I research a lot of new materials and I like to travel with them to other islands, from mountains to amazing beaches, volcanic landscapes… Every landscape always brings me new inspiration.

How long did it take you from the initial idea to the realization of the project?

-Enough.

Before embarking on this adventure, I knew nothing about shoe production, and the people with whom I consulted mostly told me to give up because it is a very complicated process. However, I love a challenge, so I decided to go on that creative journey with a lot of challenges.

The first models were made in about a year because at the same time I was teaching myself I knit shoes, gathered a group of people whom I taught the job, researched the offer materials on the Indonesian islands, and gained knowledge about modeling and shoe molds and the like. I believe that anyone who wants to have their own company must know everything about every detail of that business.

On the other hand, it was not easy either because the whole project was pioneering, and when people something is not known, they very easily refuse to work on it. But I am very persistent and I succeeded to convince them to accept the challenge.

We are now one big and happy Bilibash creative community brand. What does the process of creating a pair of Bulibasha shoes look like today?

– We have three separate productions, one of which deals only with knitting the upper parts of shoes. Currently, we have about 50 craftsmen who are in charge of that part of the work. They are one strong cheerful team and always work with song and laughter. These are people who, due to various circumstances, did not have the opportunity to find a job, so in Bulibasha their life got a new meaning. After knitting the upper parts, soles for sandals and shoes are produced. The soles are made without a machine or any kind of toxins. Accordingly, the production of one pair of shoes, depending on the model, takes between four and five days. The third production deals only with the production of wooden heels, we use wood Teak that is completely processed by hand.

Tell us more about the process of creating a pair of Bulibasha shoes

– We have three separate productions, one of which deals only with knitting the upper parts of shoes. Currently, we have about 50 craftsmen who are in charge of that part of the work. The team is very positive and strongly motivated to work. They always work with song and laughter. These are people who, due to various circumstances, did not have the opportunity to find a job, so in Bulibasha their life got a new meaning. After knitting the upper parts, soles for sandals and shoes are produced. The soles are all hand-made, without using any machine or any toxins.
Accordingly, the production of one pair of shoes, depending on the model, takes between four and five days. The third production deals only with the production of wooden heels, as we use wood Teak that is completely processed by hand.

What materials do you use for BULIBASHA shoes?

-The materials are natural but very strong and long-lasting. For knitting the upper parts, we use one type of palm leaf. For the best quality raw materials, the harvest must be done on time because the length and color of the leaf depend on it. Later, we paint the leaves with natural-based colors, which are obtained from different plants, while the leather we use for making the soles is obtained in a small local workshop that processes leather that is ‘Vegetable tanned’ in Akashia wood. The materials we use do not contain toxins, everything is made by hand and at the same time, we help the little ones’ home productions that thus support their families. They have all received so far opportunities to expand their business, and we continue with our mission to help as many as possible people.