THE small studio on Jalan Letnan Sudjono in Medan, North Sumatra, looked quiet. Once inside, however, there were numerous batik fabrics with different bright colors. Some of them were neatly stacked on the floor while others were displayed in a cabinet inside the room.

Five women worked on unfinished batik dresses and shirts. Each of them looked intently at their work to avoid mistakes in the stitching or construction of the clothes. One of the