It all began with a collection of woven fabrics from various regions—amassed by Early Rahmawati during her travels to hundreds of regencies and cities across Indonesia between 2000 and 2024—combined with her experience working alongside farmers and rattan artisans in Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, and Aceh (2014–2017). From this background emerged a desire to create premium-quality products that embody a distinctive Indonesian character.
Early Rahmawati then invited Diana Dewi—who had experience running a craft business—to begin producing bags by experimenting with various techniques and designs in 2024. The processes of selecting materials and determining designs and sewing techniques were carried out in stages, alongside the search for the right sewers to craft the desired products.
Combining woven fabric and fine rattan wickerwork—crafted by women from Central Kalimantan—with cowhide is a challenging undertaking, as the stitching process demands both strength and precision. After a year of product development, Early Rahmawati and Diana finally succeeded in 2025 in creating various bag designs using techniques suited to blending these three materials; the resulting products showcase the beautiful work of local female weavers and rattan artisans alongside local leather tanners, offering an elegant aesthetic suitable for the diverse settings and activities of those who wear them.
The woven fabrics used in CAWAN products are woven from the start to specific widths, eliminating the need for cutting. In cases where wider fabrics are utilized, we select only those featuring repetitive patterns or stripes, avoiding designs that carry profound symbolic meaning. We exercise great care in our use of these textiles, as we do not wish to squander the hard work of the artisan weavers who help preserve the tradition of Indonesian *Wastra* (traditional woven fabrics).
We chose the name CAWAN because it signifies a vessel—a receptacle capable of holding whatever its users might need. We hope that this brand, which is protected by intellectual property rights, will gain widespread recognition in the future and represent Indonesia on the international fashion stage.
We must certainly work hard to maintain—and hopefully improve—product quality by continuing to utilize the work of local artisans and strengthening the local economy, particularly for the women who weave textiles and rattan.
We are deeply grateful for the dedication of the CAWAN Bags team and our customers, wherever they may be. Your high appreciation for our products is invaluable to the livelihoods of the women who work to preserve Indonesian skills and culture.
CAWAN Bags Team
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