Our Mission
Work together with local economies in order to build the best product. Showcase the rich and diverse culture of a nation that remains to be invisible to the rest of the world.
Founded in 2018 in a small double-sized room in Los Angeles, California, Barong Collective seeks to showcase and highlight the rich culture of a nation that still manages to be invisible to the rest of the world.
Our Story
Indonesia, one of the most populated, diverse, and vast countries in the globe, continues to remain invisible to the rest of the world today— this also included a boy, a first-generation American-Indonesian who grew up in the United States of America, whose only connection to Indonesia was from his immigrant parents.
During his childhood, he suppressed his identity in the fear of being different from the rest of his community thus depriving him of the ability to know or appreciate Indonesia for what it was. However, with his experiences of traveling around the Indonesian archipelago for the first time in 2018, 21 years later, that point in his life now seems like a faraway past time of another life. Barong Collective is a manifestation of that realization.
Barong Collective seeks to highlight Indonesia’s collectivism, relaxed nature, familial priority, and generosity through its products.
Our Business
“We believe the right to accessible clothing and a clean environment are rights for all. The harsh reality, however, is that much of the world does not experience them. We knew we had to do our part to help to change this in every way we could. There was no excuse not to give back.” - Jason
With so many people in need of help across the globe, we simply couldn’t fathom founding a company that didn’t give back in some way.
But we wouldn’t be anything without you.
Because we care so much about our customers, we wanted to make sure you feel good not just about the clothing you buy, but about what your clothing stands for.
Your purchase benefits local economies. One needed item is given away for each item purchased. Help locals make money by purchasing locally produced products. You share a global online connection to Indonesia's culture, and help locals make money by purchasing locally produced products.
What “Barong” means
Barong is a lion-like creature and character in the mythology of Bali, Indonesia. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda, the demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders in the mythological traditions of Bali, predating Hindu influences. The battle between Barong and Rangda is featured in the traditional Barong dance to represent the eternal battle between good and evil. This battle represents that psyche of that fear of being different from everyone else.
