Founded in 2015, FERN uses the ancient fabric art form of batik to paint a contemporary perspective on its Malaysian heritage. Exploring experimental techniques freely, FERN sets out to simultaneously celebrate and challenge the art of batik-making, while staying true to the form’s handcrafted ethos, all-natural materiality, and inspirations from the natural world.
HEAT RESPONSE
The UV index
can’t be ignored.
UV radiation isn’t always obvious—the sun can feel gentle while your skin is quietly overexposed. The UV index is what really tells you just how much sun your skin is getting. Meet the Ultra Sarung:
a centuries-old tropical garment reimagined as a UV indicator.
Printed with UV-reactive ink, hidden solar-inspired batik motifs emerge when the fabric is “sun-kissed”. Shifting from orange to clear red on very sunny days, it gives the wearer—and those around them—an immediate, visceral signal: maybe it’s time to step into the shade. Lightweight and responsive, this tropical staple comes alive in the sun, transforming a familiar garment into a dynamic, heat-smart companion.
Printed with UV-reactive ink, hidden solar-inspired batik motifs emerge when the fabric is “sun-kissed”. Shifting from orange to clear red on very sunny days, it gives the wearer—and those around them—an immediate, visceral signal: maybe it’s time to step into the shade. Lightweight and responsive, this tropical staple comes alive in the sun, transforming a familiar garment into a dynamic, heat-smart companion.
By drawing on centuries of tropical heat wisdom and reimagining them with modern solutions, the Ultra Sarung shows how we can evolve to thrive under the sun.
The sarung patterning takes its cue from the sun, a playful map of rays and rising heat. Its layered motifs enable colour transitions, from base tones to high intensity overlays under elevated UV levels. “It was exciting to see the textile come alive in the sunlight—as if revealing hidden truths,” reflects designer Fern Chua. “Batik is inherently tied to nature—not just through its motifs, but in its process. The fabric breathes, the wax resists, and the dye reacts. In a time when the planet is heating up, batik becomes a medium for reflection; climate change is not something distant, it’s happening right here, shaping our lives and well-being.”
The sarung patterning takes its cue from the sun, a playful map of rays and rising heat. Its layered motifs enable colour transitions, from base tones to high intensity overlays under elevated UV levels. “It was exciting to see the textile come alive in the sunlight—as if revealing hidden truths,” reflects designer Fern Chua. “Batik is inherently tied to nature—not just through its motifs, but in its process. The fabric breathes, the wax resists, and the dye reacts. In a time when the planet is heating up, batik becomes a medium for reflection; climate change is not something distant, it’s happening right here, shaping our lives and well-being.”
The Ultra Sarung
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