Cover Founded in 2012, Pieces by Raeesa was never about mass production. Erny’s vision was clear from the start: to celebrate Malaysia’s batik heritage through a modern, minimal lens.
Founded in 2012, Pieces by Raeesa was never about mass production. Erny’s vision was clear from the start: to celebrate Malaysia’s batik heritage through a modern, minimal lens.
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Founder and creative director Erny Yusmiarty pays homage to Malaysian batik with Pieces by Raeesa, a slow-fashion label rooted in heritage and designed for the modern woman
In a world where trends flicker and fade, Erny Yusmiarty stands firmly rooted in tradition. The founder and creative director of Pieces by Raeesa has transformed the brand into one of Malaysia’s most distinctive modern batik labels, where craftsmanship meets contemporary elegance. Her story is one of quiet determination, heritage reimagined and a mother’s love woven into every thread.
Before batik became her métier, Erny was climbing the corporate ladder at one of the country’s largest banks. “Honestly, it happened by accident,” she laughs. “Growing up, my late mother always dressed me in batik, so I was surrounded by it from my teenage years. I fell in love with the material, especially silk, and the elegance it carried.”
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Above Erny Yusmiarty, founder and creative director of Pieces by Raeesa
Erny Yusmiarty, founder and creative director of Pieces by Raeesa
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Her fondness for batik followed her into the corporate world.
Erny would wear the fabric to the office, where her colleagues began encouraging her to sell it. “At that time, I was too shy—I didn’t think of myself as someone who could ‘sell fashion’—but deep down, batik and style had always been my passion,” she recalls. The turning point came after she got married.
Her husband, Rafiq Rahim, now her business partner, suggested that they start their own brand and bring batik online, with the vision of making it relevant for younger generations. They began designing, experimenting with colours and motifs, and to their surprise, the response was immediate. What began as an experiment quickly became a calling.
The brand they built was named after their daughter, Raeesa. “She’s my greatest inspiration,” Erny says. “I wanted to create something that not only reflects heritage but also becomes a legacy for future generations. One day, I hope Raeesa herself will carry on this craft in her own way.”
Above The Ester set, in delicate light pink
Above Rhytma Raya 2026 pieces
The Ester set, in delicate light pink
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Founded in 2012, Pieces by Raeesa was never about mass production. Erny’s vision was clear from the start: to celebrate Malaysia’s batik heritage through a modern, minimal lens. “Raeesa is a brand that celebrates heritage with a modern, minimal touch. We design clothes that are easy to wear, versatile, and meaningful. Making batik part of everyday life, not just reserved for occasions,” she says. “For us, less is always more.”
Each piece is unique; conceived and created in-house by her creative team. “In an era where many brands are chasing fast fashion, we wanted to slow it down,” she explains. “Batik is a living art. Each piece is unique, handcrafted and takes time to produce, but it’s also deeply tied to our culture. I feel responsible to bring it forward in a way that resonates with the younger generation.”
The brand achieves this by respecting traditional techniques while experimenting with modern silhouettes. “The fabric carries heritage, while the silhouette brings it into today’s world,” she says. The result is clothing that feels familiar and fresh. Batik kaftans with clean lines, airy silhouettes that move with the body and modern tailoring that elevates the traditional fabric to the realm of luxury fashion.
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The beaded Hani Top in plush velvet
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As she reflects on her journey, Erny looks toward her next major launch. The upcoming Raya 2026 collection, titled Rhytma Raya 26’, is a love letter to rhythm, togetherness and timelessness.
“Music and batik share the same essence: they’re both timeless, emotional, and rooted in tradition yet constantly evolving,” she says.
The collection explores bolder combinations than ever before. Think plush velvet paired with hand-painted batik, embroidered linen with fluid silks and delicate beadwork embellishing contemporary cuts. Alongside these statement pieces, the collection also introduces an expanded range of ready-to-wear options.
“I want customers to feel proud of wearing something that connects them to culture, while also feeling stylish and contemporary”
Her favourite pieces from the collection are the limited Lux Batik sets, which seamlessly merge traditional hand-drawn techniques with clean, modern cuts that perfectly encapsulates her philosophy.
Beyond design, Erny is aware of the larger role Pieces by Raeesa plays within the Malaysian fashion ecosystem. “By making batik part of modern lifestyle fashion, we’re ensuring artisans remain relevant while showing the world that Malaysia has its own luxury heritage craft,” she says.
Looking ahead, her ambitions are clear. “I envision Raeesa as a regional name representing modern Malaysian batik for women, while staying true to its roots. We also want to expand internationally, especially into the Middle Eastern market. Who knows, maybe one day,” she smiles.
Above Luxurious satin silk meets the bold Quba motif
Above Floral ruffles paired with blush striped hand-drawn batik pareo
Luxurious satin silk meets the bold Quba motif
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As Senior Lifestyle Writer, Aina writes across the lifestyle vertical, covering wellness, travel, arts and entertainment. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she previously worked at CLEO Malaysia, where she headed the lifestyle, culture and entertainment sections.
