Meet The Makers

THE MAKERS

All Empire of Bees products are made in Indonesia by independent artisans with whom we work directly. We have been working with the same families for more than six years and have watched them grow and prosper by having the support of our brand. That’s what keeps us going every day.

YUDI

Yudi was the sole producer of our very first collection in 2012. He has been with us from the beginning - we met him on the first day we eagerly set out to have our first Empire of Bees sample made. Yudi lives in Banyuwangi, East Java with his wife Farida and two children. Farida is also often involved in production alongside Yudi at their family home where they create every Empire of Bees piece with their preferred tool of the trade, a traditional foot pedalled sewing machine.

To our great fortune, Yudi is a master leather craftsman who takes pride in every stitch he creates. We thank him for bringing to life our Leonie, Cate & Sigourney Handbags and so many more!

Our workers are all paid fairly, per piece produced with rates negotiated openly and honestly. We do not impose deadlines on our workers, but as a slow fashion label, we work to their schedules for releases and re-stocks. This allows them the freedom to set their own working hours and have a positive family/work life balance.
ABDUL

Abdul has been with us from our first year of production. In the beginning he was working for a small family leather business but with steady production work from us, he was able to then branch out on his own and independently work for himself from his family home in Surabaya where he lives with his wife and two children.

Abdul is our chief organiser, thinker and facilitator and is meticulous in his work.

Heri & Santi have recently joined Abdul and together they work harmoniously to produce some of our best selling pieces such as Maggie Wallets, Penny's Purses & the June Clutch 

We have seen Abdul & Yudi's families thrive over the past 10 years and are proud to be an on-going part of their journey to a better way of life.