Rooted in heritage yet designed for today, Anmako is a Singapore-based brand that transforms traditional Japanese textiles into modern wardrobe staples. For women and men in Malaysia and beyond seeking handmade clothing and artisanal batik pieces, Anmako offers timeless designs that blend cultural craftsmanship with contemporary ease. In the founders’ Maria Dewi’s and Eiko Sumantri’s words, “the brand’s aesthetic reflects a harmony of contrasts — modern design with timeless tradition, city energy with resort calm — capturing the vibrant spirit of Singapore.”
Each Anmako piece is created in collaboration with family-owned workshops in Indonesia, where generations of artisans have perfected their own batik dyes, techniques, and motifs. Produced in small batches, Anmako’s garments carry subtle variations in texture and color that make every item one-of-a-kind. These handcrafted details celebrate imperfection as beauty, reminding us of the human touch behind every piece.
At Dia, we are proud to showcase Anmako’s thoughtful, versatile creations — textiles that embody simplicity, elegance, and enduring value. Below, Maria and Eiko open up about their brand.
Tell me the story about the name, “Anmako”
Anmako is a name created by combining the names of our three founders — Anna, Maria, and Eiko.
How does your Japanese heritage shape the brand?
I have a deep appreciation for traditional art, craftsmanship, and the beauty of well-made products — values that are deeply rooted in both Japanese culture and Anmako.
What values guide your design process?
Our design process is guided by our core values - Simplicity, Thoughtfulness, and Beauty.
What makes Japanese textiles so unique?
Refined textures, harmonious colours, exceptional quality - the combination of technical mastery and artistic sensibility makes Japanese textiles so unique.
Tell me about your batik artisans.
Anmako works hand-in-hand with several family-owned workshops in central Jawa. For generations, these workshops have been honing their craft to develop their own dye, technique, and style. We give the artists the freedom to run with our proposed ideas and requests, according to their distinctive methods and sensibilities. The end product is often very different from our initial concept, but therein lies the joy of working with them. This encapsulates what makes Batik such a unique and fascinating art form.
Why is it important that your pieces are made in small batches?
For us, making pieces in small batches is not just important — it's essential and natural to how we work. Our textiles, especially our handcrafted batiks, require time, skill, and care. Each piece is made by hand using traditional techniques that simply cannot be mass-produced. While it's not driven by a marketing strategy, this approach naturally supports sustainability.
What’s one detail in your pieces you hope customers will notice?
One detail we hope our customers notice is the subtle variations in print or color that come from working with traditional batik techniques. These small imperfections aren’t flaws — they’re a reminder that each piece is made by human hands, not machines.
What makes an Anmako piece worth investing in?
When you invest in Anmako, you're investing in timeless textiles that have been loved and valued for generations. Our designs are intentionally simple, created to highlight the natural beauty and character of each fabric. This simplicity allows our pieces to be effortlessly worn across various occasions, from everyday moments to more refined settings.
How do you hope someone feels when they wear Anmako?
We hope they feel comfortable, confident, and joyful.
