Poppies Exclusive, a partnership between Poppies and the Penan Women Project, transforms traditional Penan weaving with a modern touch. This initiative offers Penan women sustainable income opportunities while preserving their intricate weaving techniques.
Bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary design
We have seen various types of Penan bags since the indigenous weavers began incorporating not only rattan but also plastic strips into their crafts. One of the more marketable products that has captured the attention of both local and international buyers is the Penan bag.
Handwoven by the Penan tribes in Sarawak, whose weaving skills have been passed down through generations, these finely crafted products come in different shapes, sizes, and colours to suit our modern lifestyles.
The weavers are mainly women living in rural areas, often facing challenging conditions. By supporting them in their bag production, these women are able to empower themselves and provide a livelihood for their families.
Olivia Ling, the founder of Poppies and Poppies Exclusive, has dedicated her efforts to preserving and uplifting the heritage of the Penan community through her innovative CSR initiative. As a passionate advocate for cultural sustainability and women’s empowerment, Olivia’s work bridges the gap between tradition and contemporary design.
Poppies Exclusive, a collaboration between Olivia’s brand and the Penan Women Project, redefines traditional Penan weaving with a modern touch. This initiative provides Penan women with sustainable income opportunities while preserving their intricate weaving techniques, which have been passed down through generations.
Known for her keen eye for style and design, Olivia has expanded the collection to include a wide variety of handcrafted items, ranging from totes and clutches to storage baskets, feature walls, and decorative home pieces, all meticulously crafted in over 30 vibrant colours and bespoke patterns.
Her latest project, the Artist Series, is a groundbreaking collection that combines the craftsmanship of Penan weavers with the creativity of Sarawak artists. This collaboration fuses art and tradition, creating a series of unique pieces that celebrate both Penan cultural heritage and Sarawak’s rich artistic landscape. Every purchase from Poppies Exclusive not only empowers the weavers but also supports remote Penan communities, strengthening their cultural and economic resilience.
This interview was conducted a few hours before I was scheduled to fly to Kuala Lumpur. Nestled in the heart of the Green Heights neighbourhood, Wonderboom is a perfect pitstop for fusion dining and shopping in a relaxed and stylish environment.
Nia Latif, a self-taught mixed media artist and designer based in Kuching, was also at Wonderboom during this interview. A member of the Sarawak Artist Society, this soft-spoken lady loves to explore and experiment with new techniques and ideas. Her most recent project involves creating intricate patterns and details for a new series of Penan bags launched by Olivia Ling’s Poppies Exclusive.
Nia’s face lit up when asked about her experience with the Poppies Exclusive project.
“I had so much fun working on it. Every flower was meticulously hand-painted and clear-coated for durability, creating one-of-a-kind patterns,” said Nia, whose detailed work features tiny images of poppies in a variety of colours.
The collection offers a fresh perspective on Penan crafts.
Olivia, who is also the owner of Wonderboom, specifically chose Nia as the artist because she admires her work. Known primarily as a watercolourist, Nia paints flowers with a contemporary expression.
This latest collaboration under the Poppies Exclusive brand — a first in their Sarawak Artist Series — also serves as a platform to promote the Penan Women Project to different markets and segments.
Nia, whose life purpose is rooted in “Serving Through Creativity”, brings her passion and multidimensional approach to art to elevate these handwoven items. For the first time, Penan women’s woven baskets have been transported to Kuching, where Nia applies her signature touch. Each item is meticulously hand-painted with acrylics and sealed with two clear coats of Mod Podge for enhanced durability and waterproofing.
The hand-painted products and the Poppies Exclusive Artist Series Original Art are beautifully displayed in this stylish café. They are available for sale, and you may find it hard to decide whether you want a coin pouch, tote bag, wallet, hand or folder clutch, tray, or a nice gift box.
These unique items are available at Poppies and her restaurant, Wonderboom, where Olivia seamlessly integrates her passion for community upliftment with her commitment to excellence in all her endeavours. Through her innovation and dedication, Olivia continues to foster positive change, empowering local communities and making a lasting impact on Sarawak’s cultural and artistic identity.
The poppies look so sweet on the Penan woven items. Did you know that the different colours of poppies have their own meanings, reflecting the beauty and diversity of the poppy plant? There are countless colours to choose from, each with its own significance, including the pink poppy, orange poppy, blue poppy, and even the yellow poppy.
Certain cultures view poppy flowers as a representation of passionate and deep love between a couple. If you are looking for a gift for a loved one, you may want to get something from Wonderboom’s Poppies Exclusive collection. Poppies symbolise adoration and affection!
Do check out this new website, which will be launching soon: www.poppiesexclusive.com.
