May was an unforgettable month for the Kasih Co-op family. We packed up our latest small-batch collections and headed to Philadelphia to exhibit at the Museum Store Association FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center!
As a brand built on preserving traditional Indonesian artistry, standing alongside so many prestigious cultural institutions was an incredible honor. The energy at the expo was inspiring, and we are still buzzing from all the wonderful conversations we had.
Connecting with Old Friends and New Buyers
Exhibiting on the expo floor on May 21st and May 22nd 2026 allowed us to do what we love most: share the tactile beauty of authentic, hand-stamped Batik textiles in person.
The highlight of our time in Philadelphia was undoubtedly the people:
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Reconnecting with familiar faces: There is nothing quite like catching up with our wonderful existing buyers in person, hearing how their customers love our products, and showing them our latest design directions.
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Building new relationships: We met dozens of passionate museum gift store managers, buyers, and curators who share our deep commitment to ethical sourcing, fair trade standards, and cultural storytelling.
Celebrating a Huge Growth Milestone: 12 Museums Nationwide!
Thanks to the incredible reception at the expo, we are thrilled to announce that our wholesale community has officially expanded. We welcomed a beautiful new cohort of stockists to our retail family.
🎉 We are proud to share that Kasih Co-op is now carried in 12 museum gift stores across the United States!
Seeing our traditional Batik bandanas and scarves selected by major cultural institutions is a profound validation of our mission. When a museum store chooses our collection, they aren't just selecting a beautiful accessory—they are choosing to celebrate the meticulous skill of our master artisan partners.
Why Cultural Institutions are Partnering with Kasih Co-op
Museum gift stores have a unique responsibility to offer visitors products that carry educational, historical, and ethical value. Our collections resonate deeply with their curated spaces because:
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Authentic Heritage: Every piece is handcrafted using traditional, 700-year-old wax-resist dyeing techniques (Batik Cap and Batik Tulis), making each item a piece of living history.
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True Reversibility: Thanks to our deep dye penetration process, our patterns are flawless and vibrant on both sides, offering a premium texture and look that standard screen-printed scarves cannot replicate.
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Verified Fair Trade: As a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation, our business practices directly support living wages, safe working conditions, and economic empowerment for our artisan partners—80% of whom are women-owned businesses.
Bringing the Artisan Experience to Your Store
Whether you manage a historical museum shop, an art gallery boutique, or a curated local shop, we would love to partner with you for the upcoming season. We keep our wholesale process seamless and low-barrier to support your independent inventory goals.
Thank you to the Museum Store Association and everyone who stopped by our booth in Philadelphia to make this milestone possible. We can't wait to see Kasih Co-op on more beautiful museum shelves nationwide!
