Why MOSS Chooses Bali. And Why “Made in Bali” Doesn’t Mean Cheap
There’s something I’ve noticed since starting MOSS The Label.
When people hear that our clothing is made in Bali, there can sometimes be an assumption that it means cheap, mass produced or lower quality. And honestly that hurts and it couldn’t be more further from how our production really is.
So it got me thinking, would people have a different perception if I simply said our clothing was made overseas, without mentioning where?
The reality is that clothing can be manufactured all over the world, including in huge factories producing thousands upon thousands of garments. China is one of the world’s major clothing manufacturing hubs, and there are certainly very good manufacturers there too. But for MOSS, I made a very deliberate decision to manufacture in Bali.
And one of the biggest reasons is connection.
I can actually be there.
I travel to Bali and personally oversee our production, work closely with the team making our garments and see my designs come to life from the initial stages through to the finished piece. I know the people I work with. I can walk and discuss a garment, make changes, check fabrics and workmanship, and be involved in the process.
For a small Australian label like MOSS, that means a lot.
It’s not about making things as cheaply as possible.
In fact, our approach is quite the opposite.
I choose quality fabrics, with a strong focus on natural and breathable materials, and I’m prepared to pay more for the workmanship and fabrics that I believe our garments deserve.
Our manufacturing costs are significantly higher than what you might expect from mass-production manufacturing.
Why?
Because I don’t want MOSS to be about producing the most garments for the lowest possible price.
I want it to be about creating beautiful pieces that you can wear season after season and having strong connections with the company I work with.
The people are everything to me.
It matters enormously to me is knowing that the people making MOSS are treated with respect.
The team I work with has regular breaks and I know the people behind the garments. I’ve built a relationship with the team over time, and when I’m in Bali, I’m not just visiting a factory I’m visiting people I have come to know and care about.
That personal connection is one of the reasons I love producing in Bali.
It allows MOSS to feel much more personal than simply sending a design away and receiving a box of clothing months later.
Bali isn’t “cheap” it actually costs me more.
And I think this is the misconception I’d really like to challenge.
Bali has its own incredible history of craftsmanship, creativity and garment production. There are manufacturers producing everything from small-batch independent labels to beautiful, high-end resortwear.
Just because something is made in Bali doesn’t tell you what it cost to make, what fabric was used, how it was designed, how many pieces were produced, or how the people making it were treated.
Good fashion doesn’t become cheap simply because it is made in Bali.
There is a huge difference between something made quickly for the tourist market and a considered garment designed, sampled, fitted, produced in small quantities and made with quality fabrics.
That’s the difference I want people to understand when they see MOSS.
Bali isn’t simply somewhere I go to find cheap clothing.
It’s where I choose to make MOSS.
The country on the label doesn’t tell the whole story.
The real questions are:
Who designed it?
What is it made from?
How was it produced?
Who made it?
How were they treated?
And what standards does the brand hold itself to?
For me, those questions matter far more than simply seeing the words Made in Bali.
Why Bali feels right for MOSS
MOSS was born from my love of the ocean, travel and that effortless Australian resort lifestyle. Bali has always felt naturally connected to that world.
But beyond the aesthetic, Bali gives me something incredibly valuable as a small business owner, access and connection.
I can get on a plane, be there with my team, oversee production and be part of the process.
That’s something I wouldn’t want to give up just to chase the lowest possible manufacturing price.
So no, I don’t see Made in Bali as something MOSS needs to hide.
I’m proud of the fact that I know where our garments are made, who is making them and that I can be there myself.
Maybe instead of asking “Why Bali?”, we should be asking a bigger question:
“What does responsible fashion production actually look like?”
For MOSS, it looks like quality fabrics, considered production, personal relationships and knowing the people behind the clothes.
So I am proud that its where I choose to make MOSS.
Thsnk you for resding, owner - Sue Berry 🌴🫶