Our People – Uncle Made

“Uncle” Made Kartana makes our shirts and gives us advice and encouragement. He was born Payangan north of Ubud and first found work in hotels on the coast. But wanting to be closer to home, he found work with a small Australian company, first just stitching clothes but slowly he progressed learning how to cut and then to make patterns.

He then worked as Production Manager for a large Italian firm, exporting clothing to the USA and Europe but in 1999 established his own small business working for a wide range of well known companies including DEUS, Billabong and TCSS.

Uncle Made in his studio

He works from his family home and employs a number of women who initially worked there also but as family obligations increased he allowed them all to work from their respective homes, which leaves the sewing studio at his house rather empty. He doesn’t mind though. He has his family close by (his wife does the ironing and folding) and his employees have the benefit of being able to look after their own families and continue to be gainfully employed.

Our ‘Militer’ button up shirt being prepared for delivery