Q&A: Jia Curated returns to Bali Festival Park in August 2025

With more than 100 exhibitors and 200 Indonesian and international brands preparing to showcase their collections at Bali Festival Park from 14-18 August 2025, Sleeper hears from co-founder Budiman Ong about the origins and experience of Jia Curated.

How did the idea of Jia Curated originate?
The idea of Jia Curated emerged organically from the journey with Jia Collective, our retail space in Canggu. Over two years, it evolved into a platform that showcased over forty brands, tapping into Indonesia’s growing design and craft movement. We saw a clear demand for high-quality handmade products with meaningful stories. Jia Curated was born in response to this. As active creative professionals, the three of us – Rudi, Yang Yang and I – have firsthand experience within the industry. We understand the immense power of community, and we recognised an opportunity to spearhead and shape Indonesia’s creative landscape through our own vision. Jia Curated has grown rapidly over the past three years, and our team has embraced the challenge of pushing boundaries. We’ve recognised the need to take risks, be bold, and harness our passion to create a larger platform to showcase the best of Asian creators and their work. Through Jia Curated, we aim to connect Indonesia to the international creative community and celebrate creativity globally.

How do you select the brands and designers who participate each year, and what qualities or values are you looking for in their work?
At Jia, we look for designers with a strong identity, producing original, handcrafted pieces, those who are connected to their roots. These are the sensibilities we seek. We carefully bring together a variety of brands, designers, artisans and manufacturers, enabling them to inspire and collaborate with one another in a unified space through shared narratives. This collaborative approach is distinctive to us and to those who participate in Jia Curated, and it reflects the essence of Indonesia. It embodies the spirit of ‘Gotong Royong,’ which signifies collective effort and cooperation towards a common goal. A principle that is essential for fostering growth.

Many of the exhibiting brands are Indonesian. What does Jia Curated hope to communicate to international audiences about contemporary Indonesian design?
As the world’s 4th most populated country, Indonesia is home to a huge amount of talent. I believe that the greatest potential within Indonesia’s design sector lies in the ability to connect the existing strengths of the country – natural materials, a rich cultural heritage, and high-quality traditional manufacturing techniques – into a more cohesive ecosystem. Bali has become home to residents from all over the world and a thriving ground for creatives to collaborate. There is a strong foundation of both local and international designers who have started to inspire one another. The outcome of this cross-culture design movement is what we hope to showcase at Jia Curated.

In what ways does Jia Curated support exhibitors beyond the event itself – is there a long-term ecosystem you’re building for these designers and brands?
Jia Curated aim is bringing people together, connecting designers, makers, artists, thought-leaders, professionals and the public.Indonesia is already well-positioned for success, with abundant resources and skilled designers, as well as numerous manufacturers trusted by many well-known international brands as production facilities. However, there is a need to give a little nudge to connect home-grown creative talents with local manufacturers to unlock even greater opportunities. Imagine the possibilities if we were able to successfully bridge this gap: we could position Indonesia as a leading hub for creativity and design. Fostering collaboration between designers, makers, and manufacturers is key to achieve this vision, this is Jia Curated’s ongoing driver.

How does the setting influence the experience – for both exhibitors and visitors?
Firstly, Bali is inherently a place where Eastern and Western cultures blend, creating an environment where creativity can truly thrive. This fusion has provided a strong foundation for creativity to flourish, and Bali continues to attract a growing number of international creatives. Additionally, Indonesia is known for being a hub where many choose to manufacture their products, further strengthening our geographical relevance within the design sector.Secondly, while craft, design, and culture are at the core of Jia Curated, we focus on creating an immersive experience that allows visitors to fully engage with the event. Alongside the exhibitions and carefully curated programmes and initiatives, we bring in performances, music and food, allowing people to relax, unwind, and fully enjoy their visit. It’s not just about showcasing creativity, but about providing a dynamic and engaging environment where visitors can really connect with creativity, with the exhibitors and with each other. Lastly, we constantly challenge ourselves to think outside the box with our venue choices. Our first two events were held in a mini forest, and for our third and fourth events, we repurposed a decades-old abandoned theme park rich in history and character, providing a distinctive and unforgettable backdrop for the event.

What are your long-term ambitions for Jia Curated – would you consider taking it on the road, or expanding its scope in future editions?
Jia Curated has grown rapidly over the past three years, and our team has embraced the challenge of pushing boundaries. We’ve recognised the need to take risks, be bold, and harness our passion to create a larger platform to showcase the best of Asian creators and their work. Our vision is to grow the event’s impact and influence, connecting creators and communities across the region and beyond, making Jia Curated a key destination for innovation and inspiration in the design world. Our ambition for Jia Curated is for it to become the leading design event in Asia, bringing together the best of craft, design, and culture, while fostering a platform that showcases diverse voices and perspectives.