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Our STory

Kayu which means "wood" in Malay was inspired by my childhood spent in South East Asia. Inspired by the incredible craftsmanship I witnessed in the region, I created KAYU in 2011 with a focus on sustainable materials, responsible manufacturing and philanthropy.

In an age where it is easy to buy cheaply made, inexpensive items that arrive within 24 hours, there is something special about making products the way they were made generations ago. By hand, meticulously and with grace.

At Kayu, we continue to embrace the philosophy of slow living, working with weavers in the Philippines and third generation sandal makers in Greece who imbue our accessories with the touch of their hands. Our straw remains 100% natural not synthetic. The majority of ‘straw’ on the market is made of plastic which stays in our ecosystem forever. Our bags are made from natural straw that has been harvested, dyed and woven by hand. All our leather is vegetable tanned which means no chemicals are used in their processing.

As we enter into another decade in this business, we remain committed to making conscious choices for a better future.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

xx,

Jamie Lim.

CONSIDERED PROCESSES

At Kayu, we believe in the power of craftsmanship and the beauty of natural materials. We work hand in hand with talented artisans from all over the world to bring you meticulously handcrafted pieces in small batches.

CONSIDERED MATERIALS

We are committed to using sustainable materials, ensuring that our products have a minimal impact on the environment.

Our straw is real, not synthetic, and our leather is vegetable-tanned and free from chemicals. We take pride in knowing that our materials are not only beautiful but also eco-friendly.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

Our journey takes us to various corners of the globe, where we work with artisans who bring their expertise to every piece. From a print shop in San Francisco to a third-generation sandal maker in Athens and a family-owned workshop in the Philippines, each partner plays a vital role in the creation of our handcrafted products.

Contact us

15 N. Ellsworth Avenue, Suite 203
San Mateo, CA 94402

Press

info@kayudesign.com

Customer Service

support@kayudesign.com

Wholesale Inquiries

wholesale@kayudesign.com