Sabahan Entrepreneur Transforms Bornean Motifs into a Thriving Apparel Brand

3 March 2025

KOTA KINABALU: At just 31, Elysiana Jemaslin is redefining the apparel industry by fusing traditional Bornean motifs with contemporary fashion. As the founder of Kava Base, she has transformed her artistic passion into a flourishing business specializing in fabric and T-shirt printing.

Kava Base, bearing the tagline "Blessed to be a Blessing," derives its name from the Rungus word "Kava," referring to a large communal pot used during grand celebrations. This philosophy embodies Elysiana’s mission to share her success and uplift others through her enterprise.

Born and raised in Paitan, Elysiana is of Rungus-Tombonuo heritage. Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2015 while she was in her third semester at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Perak. Inspired by Sabah’s traditional motifs and fueled by a deep appreciation for art, she decided to turn her creativity into a business venture.

"Entrepreneurship runs in my family," she shared. "My parents, who operate a local produce enterprise in Paitan, were my early role models. Watching them work hard to provide for us instilled in me the courage to start my own business."

Determined to make her dream a reality, Elysiana made a bold move—investing her two-semester scholarship to purchase a RM5,000 T-shirt printing machine.

"I didn’t want the money to go to waste on unnecessary expenses. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to create something meaningful," she explained.

She design all her artwork by herself, taking inspiration from diverse and colourful ethnicities especially Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus traditional motifs.

Operating from a small home studio, she launched her first product, "Borneo," which remains a bestseller. Her initial customer base consisted of UPSI students, whom she reached through social media marketing and drop-shipping agents.

In 2018, she returned to Sabah and continued running Kava Base as a home-based business while pursuing her Master’s degree in Art. Her research on traditional Sabah crafts further enriched her designs, making cultural heritage an integral part of her brand identity.

As demand grew, Elysiana expanded. In 2020, she took a significant step by opening her first physical store in Paitan, equipped with two printing machines. Leveraging TikTok marketing, her monthly sales reached approximately 2,000 pieces.

By 2024, she strategically advanced her online presence through TikTok Shop, which propelled her monthly sales to 5,000 pieces. To keep up with increasing demand, Kava Base partnered with a printing factory in Shah Alam, Selangor, ensuring a steady production output.

"Staying relevant in the digital era is crucial," Elysiana emphasized. "TikTok has been a game changer, allowing us to reach a nationwide audience and scale the business beyond what I initially imagined."

In 2025, as Kava Base marks its tenth anniversary, Elysiana is set to expand further with a new store opening in Kota Marudu. The business is now a family affair, with her sisters, Elvyanalyn and Elvisia, managing operations while she balances entrepreneurship with her role as a teacher at SMK Simpangan, Paitan.

Kava Base has grown into a formidable enterprise, employing seven staff members and managing 2,300 drop-ship agents across Malaysia.

Beyond T-shirt printing, Elysiana has ventured into contemporary ethnic wear, introducing the “Sumandak” collection, which incorporates traditional Kadazandusun siling (gold trimming) into modern baju kurung designs. Through these collections, she aims to embody elegance, modesty, and Malaysian unity.

Her artistic talent has not gone unnoticed. In 2022, her Borneo Batik artwork earned her second runner-up at the Batik Revival Incubator Grand Final. As an entrepreneur, she and Kava Base have gained significant recognition, particularly as a prominent TikTok Shop brand in Sabah in 2024.

Located at 1 Avenue Commercial Centre, Kota Marudu, Kava Base stands as a testament to Elysiana’s dedication to preserving and promoting Sabah’s rich cultural heritage through art and entrepreneurship.

"Through Kava Base, I hope to inspire others to celebrate and take pride in our cultural roots,” she concluded.