News Archives - SACKAI BAGS

Indonesian Women Pave Their Way to Online Success

News08/12/202018/01/2023

The concept for Sackai bags was born in 2013, and after two years of planning, Presi Mandari left her full-time job as a journalist to grow the business.

Presi’s goal was to create fashionable canvas bags that are “simple, functional and clean.” All Sackai bags are designed in-house by Presi’s husband, made by hand and manually screen-printed. The first line of Sackai bags was released in March 2014, after an initial investment of Rp 5 million ($350).

Presi has a master’s degree in international relations and worked as a journalist at Agence France-Presse for eight years. She enjoyed being a reporter but needed a creative outlet to help handle the stress of her job. She taught herself how to sew canvas bags by watching YouTube videos after identifying a gap in the market for good quality, Indonesian canvas products.

Presi then enlisted the help of her husband, a graphic designer and former fine arts student, to help her design the bags. “I would never have been able to jump into this business without social media,” she said.

Thanks to Facebook and Instagram, Presi was able to grow her business quickly, at little expense. Presi now has several staff members working under her, a significant online following and her bags are stocked by many e-commerce websites and the duty-free shops at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

While acknowledging that gender discrimination is still rife in Indonesia, Presi said she has encountered very little of it in her business. “I’m my own boss, there aren’t any issues [with being a woman], as long as you exude confidence and tenacity,” she said.

You can find Presi and Sackai bags on Instagram @sackaibags.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

Sackai Bags goes to NYNOW trade show in North America

News10/10/202013/12/2022

Sackai Bags takes part in the 2018 NYNOW Market, a leading trade show for contemporary design and sophistication in North America.

Sackai Bags: Creativity on a canvas bag

News10/09/202013/12/2022

NY Now 2019, BEKRAF Fast-Tracks Growth of Indonesia’s Creative Economy

News13/08/201913/12/2022

NEW YORK, Aug. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Eight local Indonesian handicraft brands, under the name of IDentities, took centre-stage at NY Now 2019, with the mission of enticing hundreds of potential consumers from around the world, the Indonesian Pavilion has proven its first four days a great success. The event was held from August 10 to 13, at the Javits Center, New York City, United States.
Visit the Indonesian Pavilion at NY Now, booth no.1462, Javits Center, NYC, on August 10 – 13 2019.
Badan Ekonomi Kreatif (BEKRAF), the Indonesian Creative Economy Agency, which runs under the umbrella of the Indonesia Creative Incorporated (ICINC), curated the works of local designers to emphasize Indonesia’s heritage at the world-class exhibition. The selected brands include Djalin, Kayou, Sackai Bags, Indo Risakti, Du’Anyam, Studio Dapur, Rengganis, and Kana Goods.

“For four consecutive years, we have involved Indonesian communities in portraying our varied traditions and cultural heritage through globally appealing, high-quality handicraft goods. Not only are we increasing on-site sales, during the exhibition, we’re also engaging directly with global retail distributors to expand our market reach worldwide,” said Joshua Simandjuntak, Deputy Chairman for Marketing of BEKRAF.

The United States of America remains one of the largest importers of handicrafts, and according to the US Department of Commerce, has a strong desire for unique products with history. At last year’s event, the Indonesia Pavilion successfully earned revenue of US$ 800K in exports. This year, the pavilion aimed to achieve over US$ 1.5 million.
“Endowed with innumerable stories and traditions, we are optimistic about carving a niche in the global market to reinforce our position among the world’s biggest handicraft exporters,” added Joshua.

Presi Mandari, owner of Sackai Bags, aims to win over the US market by crafting one-of-a-kind bags featuring original illustrations and artwork. “Following the success of last year’s participation, we have distributed our products to markets in the United States, including Maryland, Florida, and Hawaii,” Presi said.

Reviving the Global Competitiveness of Artisans
Two participating brands, Djalin and Kayou, won the award for ‘Best New Product’, while three others were shortlisted for the Sustainable Awards NY Now 2019. The shortlisted winners include IndoRisakti, DuAnyam, and Studio Dapur, best known for the continuous efforts to empower local communities.

“Each of Kayou’s products are handcrafted perfectly by local craftsmen in Jepara, Central Java, which has been key to the tremendous response we receive from international buyers,” said Alexander Alvin, Co-Founder of Kayou. As specialists in Indonesian hand-crafted solid wood furniture, NY Now has connected them with repeat buyers from Dallas, the United States with high demand for unique artisanal furniture.

Meanwhile, IndoRisakti, shortlisted for the sustainability award, focuses on products made of recycled materials, such as baskets, boxes, wall art, mirrors and decorative items. “We translate the long tradition of Indonesian artisanal craftsmen into premium home decorative handicraft, presenting Indonesian eco-friendly products to the world in a bid to draw more global attention,” said Riris, Director of IndoRisakti.

Following BEKRAF’s continuous support for local Indonesian artists, Jennifer Isaacson, the international curator of Indonesia Pavilion added. “BEKRAF has put the most effective strategies to nurture and curate the best artists with phenomenal artisana products, that are rich in tradition and Indonesian craftsmanship; factors that, over the years, have become highly demanded by the US market.”

For Rengganis, it was their first time to participate. Nonetheless, the advantages they have gained during the four-day exhibition were spectacular. “BEKRAF has supported us with wide-ranging programs and directions for the past few months, bringing our exquisite embroideries and contemporary pieces into the spotlight,” said Rengganis, Founder of Rengganis.

“The journey doesn’t end here. However, it is just a starting point for us to spread our wings,” Rengganis added. She and the rest of the participants believe, even after the exhibition’s end, BEKRAF will consistently provide innovative programs, helping their readiness to do a real and sustainable business internationally, for an extended period.
SOURCE Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy (BEKRAF)

Indonesia’s Creative Economy Agency choses eight local brands to take part in a New York Trade Show

News10/09/201819/11/2022

KONTAN.CO.ID – JAKARTA. Indonesia creative economy agency BEKRAF continues to boost the country’s creative economy revenus by supporting local brands to take part in an international trade show such as New York Now which will take place this month. The Agency head Triawan Munaf said that they have selected through an Open Call process eight local brands which are Sackai Bags, Kana Goods, Noesa, Kayou, Pala Nusantara, Jenggala, and Indo Risakti to take part in the show.

Badan Ekonomi Kreatif (Bekraf) terus berupaya mendongkrak nilai ekspor produk kriya atau kerajinan lokal. Salah satunya ikut serta di ajang pameran seperti New York Now 2018 di bulan ini juga.

Menurut Triawan Munaf, Kepala Bekraf, ada delapan merek produk kriya yang dikirim ke ajang tersebut. Yakni Sackai Bags, Siji, Kana Goods, Noesa, Kayou, Pala Nusantara, Jenggala, dan Indo Risakti. Produk tersebut terpilih lewat kurasi produk kreatif sejak Maret 2018. “Saya harap, kontribusi kriya ke perekonomian kreatif Indonesia bisa ditingkatkan lagi,” katanya, Rabu (1/8).

Menurutnya, nilai ekspor produk kriya nasional di periode 2016 – 2017 mencapai Rp 142 triliun. Ia harap jumlah tersebut bisa lebih ditingkatkan lagi. Salah satu caranya lewat ajang pameran internasional seperti New York Now tersebut

Ia akui ada kendala dalam memfasilitasi pebisnis kriya memasarkan produk ke luar negeri. Sebab pihaknya tidak mungkin mengirim banyak pebisnis kriya di dalam satu pameran. Makanya dengan sistem penyaringan, ia harapkan bisa mendapatkan produk kriya yang sesuai dengan keinginan pasar global. Baik itu dari sisi kualitas ataupun kemasan.

NY Now 2018 akan diadakan di Jacob Javits Center, New York, dan berlangsung selama empat hari, 12-15 Agustus 2018. Ini adalah pameran dagang internasional yang mengkhususkan diri untuk menampilkan produk dari sub sektor kriya dengan tagline The Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift. Ada 24.000 industri retail dan ratusan ribu produk kriya dari berbagai negara akan ditampilkan dalam pameran itu.

Sumber : www.kontan.co.id

Sackai Bags: A hobby that turns into a business

News13/08/201813/12/2022

NEW YORK, KOMPAS.com – Berawal dari hobi Presi Mandari yang menggemari tas kanvas, lahirlah ide untuk membuka bisnis sendiri. Mantan jurnalis asal Indonesia di salah satu media internasional itu bersama dengan suaminya, Toto Prastowo, kini menjalankan bisnis tas kanvas buatan tangan atau handmade dengan nama Sackai Bags yang pembelinya sudah menyebar, dari dalam hingga luar negeri. Awalnya, Presi memang sudah senang dengan tas kanvas semasa masih jadi jurnalis. Salah satu produk yang dia sukai adalah Crumpler, tas yang semula dikhususkan bagi para messenger atau tas untuk kurir yang kini berubah jadi berbagai macam tas fungsional. “Itu harganya memang agak mahal. Suatu waktu, saya ke pasar lihat-lihat bahan kanvas, lalu mikir kenapa enggak coba bikin sendiri saja ya, harganya jauh lebih murah,” kata Presi kepada Kompas.com di sela-sela pamerannya bersama Badan Ekonomi Kreatif ( Bekraf) di Jacob Javits Convention Center, Manhattan, New York, Senin (13/8/2018).

Penulis : Andri Donnal Putera
Editor : Erlangga Djumena

sumber : kompas.com