KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 – Homegrown fashion label Kapten Batik has been selected as a strategic partner for the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, where it will present its contemporary interpretation of traditional batik to a global audience.
Renowned for reinventing batik for modern lifestyles, the brand will showcase designs that harmoniously blend heritage, sustainability and national identity at the prestigious international event, which carries the theme “Weaving a Future in Harmony”.
Kapten Batik co-founder and director Farhan Omar said that participating in Expo 2025 Osaka signifies more than just showcasing fashion, it represents an opportunity to carry a national narrative and present Malaysia as a confident, diverse, heritage-rich nation ready for the future.
“We want batik to walk the streets of Tokyo, grace runways in Paris, and live in wardrobes as both style and story. We’re here to prove that heritage and modernity can not only coexist, they can lead,” he said in a statement.
Farhan emphasised that with every carefully stitched piece, every story told, and every purposeful decision, Kapten Batik demonstrates how heritage should be worn rather than archived.
“Boldly, every day. At Expo 2025 Osaka, through the Malaysia Pavilion, this message will reach new audiences, positioning Malaysian design not just as beautiful, but as deeply intentional, future-facing, and globally relevant,” he said.
The engineer-turned-designer said he approaches fashion with both creativity and structure, describing the disconnect between tradition and modern lifestyles as “a design problem” and seeking to address it with breathable, functional garments that incorporate cultural storytelling.
“With rigour and precision, what resulted was not just a new product, but a new way of thinking about how tradition could move forward,” he said.
While maintaining reverence for traditional techniques and generational storytelling, Farhan explained the garments are designed for modern living, featuring lightweight cottons, functional cuts, stretch blends and anti-wrinkle finishes.
In addition, he said Kapten Batik used GOTS-certified organic cotton, OEKO-TEX certified dyes, and REPREVE fibres made from recycled plastic bottles, turning waste into wearable products and ensuring that every decision made respects both people and the planet.
For Kapten Batik, sustainability also means longevity, with each piece designed to last five to 10 years, withstand tropical climates and remain versatile across seasons and styles.
Farhan said Kapten Batik has also collaborated with Enrich by Malaysia Airlines and The Datai Langkawi to bring its design philosophy into new spaces, including aviation uniforms and sustainably crafted resort wear.
“Our partnerships are not just commercial. They are symbolic, allowing us to bring the batik narrative to the next level,” Farhan said and encouraged young designers to build ethically, be intentional with their materials, and listen deeply to customers, artisans and communities.
He said culture is preserved not through nostalgia, but through innovation, relevance and daily use.
The brand has achieved significant milestones, including launching its Sustainable Series, dressing national figures, and expanding its presence to international cities such as London, Jakarta and Sydney.
