Malaysia has long been celebrated for its distinctive handcrafted creations, cherished by both locals and travellers alike. Behind each piece are passionate artisans who have cultivated loyal communities—people who appreciate the artistry, eagerly anticipate new designs and champion the values of slow fashion. Produced in small batches, every creation is thoughtfully made with care, intention and heart. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia unveils its curated selection of Malaysia’s top 10 handcrafted creations brands (listed in no particular order) and shining a spotlight on the talented artisans behind them.
Bendang Studio
Established in 2010, Bendang Studio began as an intimate creative sanctuary for its founder, Rozana. Initially conceived as a quiet space dedicated to artistic exploration and exhibition work, the studio gradually took on a life of its own. As interest in her ceramics grew and demand followed, Rozana’s practice evolved, driven by both passion and possibility.
By 2014, Bendang Studio marked a new chapter, venturing into the production of handmade tableware and introducing its pieces at local markets and events, primarily around Kuala Lumpur. What started small soon expanded beyond expectations. Over the years, Bendang Studio’s thoughtfully crafted ceramics found their way into cafés, restaurants and hotels, locally and internationally. Today, its creations inhabit spaces once unimaginable, embraced by hands and homes that share a belief in the beauty of handmade work. From clay to table, Bendang Studio continues to design and shape moments of happiness through craft.
The Loka Made
Loka Made is a creative brand founded in Malaysia in 2015 by Audrey Chew and Chong Fei Giap. It all began with a simple idea — to create a series of pop-up cards that told stories about local culture. Over time, they expanded their product range to include postcards, stickers, magnets, keychains, greeting cards — all kinds of illustrated goods that reflect the unique charm of Malaysian culture.
What really drives Loka Made is the desire to tell stories through visuals. Malaysia is so diverse and full of rich cultural elements, and the brand wants to bring those stories to life in a way that feels both meaningful and imaginative. Even when exploring new ideas and directions, staying connected to the Malaysian roots has always been important.
Lilin + Co
Born from a desire to raise the standard of home fragrances, Lilin+Co was established by Julie Yim in 2016 as a modern fragrance rooted in mindful craftsmanship. Through extensive research and careful testing of raw materials, the brand differentiates itself by avoiding ingredients known to be harmful. Today, Lilin+Co produces a refined range of premium soy candles and home fragrance products, all handcrafted in their light-filled studio.
At the heart of the brand is its commitment to the art of “hand-poured” craftsmanship. Each candle is made in small batches from scratch, allowing for close attention to detail and consistent quality, while giving every piece its own unique story. With a strong focus on simplicity, thoughtful design and everyday functionality, Lilin+Co offers eco-friendly and affordable products made from the finest ingredients. Finished with elegant, minimal packaging, the brand encourages Malaysians to choose a safer option for their homes and families.
Mossery
A design-led stationery brand built around the values of creativity, Mossery was founded by designers Vivian and Jun in 2014. With the believe that creativity and growth are universal human needs, they design tools to inspire reflection, expression and mindful living.
This philosophy comes to life through Mossery’s Customisable Books, Art Kits and a curated range of creative essentials. By collaborating with artists and creators from around the world, Mossery co-develops meaningful products and immersive learning experiences. As the brand continues to evolve, its vision is to cultivate a global community where creators are empowered to learn, connect and grow together.
The Craftsmanty
Helmed by founder and creative lead Teck Yew, The Craftsmanty is a furniture studio devoted to creating customised pieces shaped around the unique needs of each client. Rooted in refined wood craftsmanship, the brand’s design language draws from mid-century and vintage influences, resulting in furniture that feels both timeless and distinctive.
From concept to completion, every piece is guided by a clear creative vision—carefully balancing product development, client alignment and thoughtful detailing to achieve harmony between character, function and longevity. Alongside bespoke projects, the brand also introduces original designs annually to inspire fresh ideas and broaden creative possibilities to clients. What truly sets The Craftsmanty apart is its ability to translate personal requirements into well-crafted furniture that is meaningful, enduring and commercially sustainable.
Bingka
Established in 2015 by Adrihana Abdul Rashid, Bingka was born from a deep love for Malaysian heritage and a desire to translate its richness into original silkscreen-printed designs. Drawing inspirations from the country’s diverse food culture and everyday traditions, the brand brings a whimsical yet thoughtful approach to lifestyle products—aimed at enriching living spaces while nurturing a deeper appreciation for Malaysian art and identity.
Today, Bingka is known for its uniquely handmade creations that celebrate the many layers of Malaysian culture through playful illustrations and carefully crafted designs. At the heart of every collection is Bingka’s signature tea towel, which serves as the visual anchor for each release. The featured design captures the core theme of the collection, with all subsequent products evolving as extensions of that central narrative.
Machino Malaysia
Machino is a Malaysian comfort-fashion footwear brand co-founded by sisters Esther Tai and Amy Tai. Born from a personal need for comfortable shoes that didn’t compromise on fashion style, Machino is best known for its signature Hana Flower design and thick, firm sponge insole that delivers all-day comfort.
What started as a solution for modern women has grown into a community, with customers queuing for hours and returning season after season. Machino operates as an omnichannel brand with strong online traction and a growing offline presence, at their store located in Subang Jaya and newly opened IOI City Mall, Putrajaya.
Today, Machino positions itself as more than just a shoe brand but a lifestyle label that designs comfort you can feel and confidence you can see, empowering women to walk better, feel better and live fully.
Kanoe Wear
Kanoe was founded by Noelle Kan in 2016, emerged from a love of travel, culture, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of Malaysia. What began as a personal exploration of heritage has since grown into a leading lifestyle brand known for its modern batik wear, even earning a place on the stage at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Working with batik in its many forms, Kanoe creates pieces that are beautiful, playful and timeless—designed for contemporary living while remaining rooted in tradition.
At the heart of the brand is a commitment to bringing a vibrant tropical identity to life. Kanoe works closely with local batik makers, supporting their craftsmanship and sustaining the art form through meaningful collaboration. The brand has also partnered with refugee communities connected to fair-trade organisations in Malaysia. Guided by a zero-waste philosophy, Kanoe transforms leftover fabrics into smaller accessories and offers batik remnants in store.
Cocoraw Chocolates
Making steady waves across the Klang Valley, Cocoraw is the passion project of husband-and-wife duo Michael Woo and Lee See Pin. Founded as a chocolate truffle store with a simple yet sincere vision, the brand set out to make high-quality chocolate at accessible prices to Malaysian consumers.
Today, Cocoraw offers thoughtfully curated gifting and boxed collections featuring a wide spectrum of flavours. From timeless classics such as The Raw 70 dark chocolate and milk chocolate truffles, to inventive local fusions like salted gula melaka and teh tarik, the brand is celebrated for its bold approach to flavour exploration. Seamlessly blending familiar Malaysian tastes with fine chocolate craftsmanship, Cocoraw stands apart for its originality and authenticity. What began as a home-based venture, and later a kiosk, continues to grow—driven by a shared commitment to serving good chocolate, made for everyone.
Oh Dayang
Oh Dayang is a handcrafted jewellery and accessories label that redefines Malaysia’s textile art by transforming it into expressive statement pieces for everyday wear. With a fresh perspective on tradition, the brand elevates batik beyond fabric—reimagining it as wearable art woven seamlessly into modern wardrobes.
Founded by Dayang Nur Syafiqah, Oh Dayang turns upcycled batik sarongs into delicate bag charms and meaningful jewellery, each piece lovingly handmade and entirely one of a kind. Playful in colour yet thoughtful in design, the creations reflect her vision of bridging traditional elegance with contemporary aesthetics. Carefully curated palettes balance earthy tones with vibrant hues, ensuring that every piece remains versatile, wearable and relevant to daily life.