THE STORY
Bulibasha began as an idea on the Island of the Gods in 2018 — inspired by Bali’s deep connection to nature, its living craft traditions, and a culture where making by hand remains deeply rooted in everyday life.
What began as an idea became years of research, experimentation and development. We explored natural materials, traditional weaving techniques, new forms and ways of constructing footwear that could honour the craft while creating something entirely its own.
In 2020, Bulibasha was born. From the first handmade pairs to the community we have built today, the journey has been one of constant learning, evolving and refining — always staying connected to the hands, materials and place behind every pair.
Years later, that same spirit remains at the heart of everything we make.
THE FOUNDER
The story of Bulibasha begins with Divna Č. Pedrolini, a creative soul whose journey with Indonesia started in 2013, when she came to Yogyakarta for postgraduate study after graduating from the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade, specialising in Textile Design.
What began as a year of study soon became a much deeper connection with Indonesia, its people, nature and extraordinary craft traditions.
Over the years, she travelled, learned and immersed herself in local craftsmanship, becoming especially drawn to traditional weaving and natural materials. The idea of creating footwear grew slowly — through experimentation, conversations with artisans and countless handmade prototypes.
For Divna, making was never simply about creating an object. It became a way of understanding a place — its people, materials, traditions and the knowledge passed from one generation to another.
THE PEOPLE
Behind every pair of Bulibasha is a person, a skill and a story.
Bali has always been a meeting place — a home to people who come from across the Indonesian archipelago, bringing with them different traditions, skills and ways of making. Our production reflects this diversity. We have welcomed local people from Bali as well as artisans and makers who have made Bali their home, creating a community connected through craft.
Our work is built around people whose hands carry knowledge developed through years of practice, patience and repetition. Many of the techniques we use are learned by doing, passed from one person to another and refined over time.
We believe craftsmanship can only truly exist when the people behind it are valued — through meaningful work, long-term relationships and the opportunity to grow and share what they know.
What makes Bulibasha special is not simply how our shoes are made, but the people and stories woven into them.
DESIGN
At Bulibasha, design is a process of exploration. Every collection begins with an idea, a sketch or a question, and evolves through experimentation, refinement and countless hours of development.
We are constantly searching for new ways to reinterpret traditional craftsmanship through a contemporary lens — creating designs that feel distinctive, timeless and entirely their own.
Rather than following trends, we focus on creating pieces with character, purpose and longevity. Each design is shaped by creativity, intuition and an ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation.
The result is footwear that cannot be replicated by machines — designed to be worn, lived in and remembered.
craft
Craft is the language through which every Bulibasha design comes to life.
Our footwear is shaped through techniques that require time, patience and a highly trained hand. Weaving, shaping, stitching and finishing are learned through practice, with each artisan developing a feel for the material and an understanding of the smallest details.
There is no shortcut to handmade craft. Each pair passes through many stages and many hands before it is complete, carrying subtle variations that make it uniquely its own.
For us, craftsmanship is more than a way of making. It is knowledge, creativity and tradition kept alive through the act of creating.
MATERIALS
We believe the materials we choose shape not only how a shoe looks, but how it feels, ages and lives.
We work primarily with natural, responsibly sourced materials, chosen for their character, durability and connection to the environment they come from. Tropical leaf fibres, vegetable-tanned leather and plant-based dyes come together to create footwear that feels honest and alive.
Our leaf fibres are sourced from local Indonesian farmers, creating value within the communities where these materials grow. We work with what nature provides, allowing the natural texture, variation and character of each material to remain part of the final design.
For us, choosing natural materials is not simply an aesthetic decision. It is a way of staying connected to the land, supporting local livelihoods and making with greater intention.