Since starting Indonesian farm-to-closet clothing company SukkhaCitta which means happiness in 2016, Denica Riadini-Flesch has helped to create hundreds of jobs with fair pay for rural craftswomen. But the 33-year-old Jakarta-based social entrepreneur does not believe in the concept of simply helping people in impoverished communities.
She spoke about her work on a recent visit to Singapore, where she was honoured as one of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise 2023 Laureates. Aimed at supporting exceptional individuals spearheading initiatives that advance human well-being and knowledge, the Awards are part of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative.
Said the trained economist, who wore a chic embroidered black blouse and pants by SukkhaCitta, “Sometimes, coming from development aid, we go into these communities with the mindset of ‘we want to help you’, which I think is wrong. Because then, it’s as if they’re helpless and you have to help them. But these people have the skills and the determination to change their own lives—what they need is someone to believe in them.”
It’s an effective philosophy. While SukkhaCitta started eight years ago with just three women, it now works with more than 400 people, including farmers, dyers, artisans, weavers, and seamstresses. Women who have teamed up with the ethical company have seen an average of 60 percent increase in their income, giving them a greater say in their families and communities. SukkhaCitta has impacted over 1,500 lives—and with Rolex’s support, RiadiniFlesch aims to reach 10,000 lives by 2030.
The company works with individuals along the supply chain to find better, sustainable solutions: The farmers who grow cotton, the weavers who weave fibres into fabrics, and textile dyers and batik artisans, as well as seamstresses. Riadini-Flesch, who used to work with the World Bank in Indonesia, has also started four textile craft schools there, with a fifth on the way.
This story is from the June 2024 edition of Prestige Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2024 edition of Prestige Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
PARTY TIME
Whether it's partying to forget, cultural enrichment, or a new wellness routine, we're right there with you on bringing forth 2025.
HOLIDAY CHEERS
With the season of togetherness upon us, it's only natural that these latest releases are born from collaborations that celebrate unity and shared sentiments.
STILL THE ONE
With a distinctive design including an off-centre dial, outsize date, and an asymmetrical layout, the Lange 1 stood out from the horological pack when it was launched in 1994. It continues to do so even today, three decades on.
'TIS THE TRAVEL SEASON
Whether a white Christmas beckons your name or a holistic retreat calls as 2025 looms, here are our picks for ending the year on a high.
A HEART FOR GIVING
Whether it's for coral reef rehabilitation or to be a voice where there is none, to leave the world a better place is a daunting task that these titans are ready to uphold.
BEHIND THE STILLS WITH ...STUART FEAR
Having made a career out of sharing his love for scotch, Stuart Fear is a Keeper of the Quaich and regional ambassador for Brown-Forman, dedicating his life to spreading the joy of whisky across Asia. Here, he reflects on the craft, the culture, and what makes a good dram.
MASCULINE ELEGANCE
With its gracefully simple exterior lines penned by Studio De Voogt and interior design by Paris-based Gilles & Boissier, known for their work on New York's Baccarat Hotel, Dutch shipbuilder Feadship's latest megayacht, One, offers luxury and comfort in equal measure.
PLAYING IT FORWARD
In sport, victory isn't measured only on the scoreboard, but also by its impact beyond the game. Six sport philanthropists share their experiences of using their platforms to champion change and uplift the community by promoting an active and mindful lifestyle.
A LIFE INCOMPLETE
Nicholas Shakespeare has penned the ultimate authority on the life and work of Bond author, lan Fleming. PRESTIGE heads out to the Rajasthan desert for a clandestine one-on-one with the writer of one of this year's must-read books.
TIME WELL SPENT
With the Rado Captain Cook High Tech Ceramic Skeleton and the Centrix Open Heart, every second becomes a reminder of what it means to live fully and appreciate the finer details of time.
