Best Borneo was designed by Melbourne-based Neuman Studio, which also has a presence in Kuching (Photo: Voco Kuching)
It was the late American art critic, writer and philosopher, the hugely influential Harold Rosenberg, who first quipped how “kitsch is the daily art of our time”. And if that be the case, then Best Borneo in Kuching is its dedicated gallery.
Opened at the end of July, the eclectic retail space occupies a choice spot in Wisma Elica, which houses Malaysia’s first Voco Hotel as well as Care Collective, a 90-room hotel inspired residence for senior living. And, like its name suggests, Best Borneo is both a magpie’s nest and treasure trove of shiny, kitschy covetables. Regardless of your aesthetic inclinations, Best Borneo capitalises on the Freudian concept of verschiebung or displacement, proffering an array of items that will not bust budgets yet lure you in with their eye pleasing charm, provenance or simple good design — or, as its tagline suggests, a “purveyor of fun things”.
Co-founder Datin Shen-Tel Lee (the other partner is her chum, restaurateur Olivia Ling) describes the Neuman Studio-designed store as “the perfect mix of insanity and kitsch”, a one stop shop for picking out and bringing home, well, the very best of Borneo — from beautifully-packaged heirloom rice to chocolate made using locally-grown cocoa beans, and fashion and accessories that would make any girl, young or old, squeal with unabashed delight.
The latter, of course, comes courtesy of Bowerhaus — an accessory brand created by Lee together with her younger sibling Elizabeth. Brought up in Australia, the sisters named their label in honour of the Australian bowerbird, which is known for its unique courting ritual where the male would painstakingly collect items to create beautiful trinkets in the hope of attracting a mate. Natural gemstones and pearls are Bowerhaus mainstays and can be found adorning almost all of its offerings; from brooches and necklaces to earrings and even mobile phone charms.
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If you are living outside of Kuching and can travel home with heaps of luggage or check-in baggage, go for the vibrant bags and baskets woven by women from the indigenous Penan tribe, one of the last nomadic hunter-gatherers in Borneo’s vast rainforest. All the items are created with assistance from Penan Women Project, a social enterprise that aims to give these women another income source by harnessing their innate weaving skills to produce quality, sustainable and innovative fashion and household staples. What makes the Penan ware stand out is the use of colourful polypropylene strapping belts, versus traditional rattan, which makes them durable as well as washable.
There are also watercolours, stickers and postcards by local artist Nia Latif and copies of Nama Berita? (“How are you?” in Iban), an Iban-English children’s book by Natasha Nanta, charmingly illustrated by Felicia Bateman. It makes an ideal gift and easy way to introduce young children to a living indigenous language whose oral tradition dates back centuries.
Those who prefer their carrywear to be luxe yet sustainably crafted could consider the versatile, all-occasion Chiasa handbags from celebrated Malaysian designer Khoon Hooi. Inspired by the traditional Japanese bento bag, each is made using upcycled brocade and finished with a fabric knot. Attire, on the other hand, is all by Kuching-based, British talent Najah Munye, who designs under the RoaSkye label. Synonymous with bright colours and African batik, it is also highly eco-conscious, prioritising a zero-waste design approach. Pick out marvellous mutton-sleeved blouses that would look as good with jeans or a ballgown skirt, shift dresses or, if you are hunting for easy gifts, T-shirts or even hair scrunchies.
Malaysia is also a famously foodie nation and what is a visit to Borneo without loading up on all manner of edible treats? Sarawakian layer cake or kek lapis is a de rigueur souvenir and, to save you the hassle of driving out and searching for the city’s finest, Best Borneo offers a wide selection from the renowned Rasa Gold. Choose from pineapple, golden kurma (dates), butter, chocolate, pandan or even kopi susu (milk coffee) variations. If teatime, in your opinion, is best served cheeky, bring home the brandy fruitcake by Bee’Z Gelato, famous for its small batch baked goods and, as its name suggests, artisanal ice cream, which is churned daily using New Zealand dairy. Alas, the latter can only be sampled at its two outlets in The Spring and Vivacity Megamall Kuching.
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Many might not also be aware that Sarawak is one of the most important regions for the cultivation of libex coffee, a hybrid between the coffea liberica and coffea excelsa varieties. Flourishing in the Baram highlands, the products derived from libex coffee also constitute part of the Sarawak Liberica Refinement Project, which supports local growers by improving quality and, in turn, boosting demand and net income. There is also Kenyalang heirloom rice to bring home. Named after the Iban word for the rhinoceros hornbill, the state’s official bird, it also pays tribute to Sarawak’s nickname, Land of the Hornbills. Choose from Bario (white), Etem (black), Bajong (purple) or Bireh (red). If you simply cannot decide, there are also neatly packaged quartets that allow for an easy sampling of indigenous Sarawakian rice. Each purchase also goes to empowering the state’s rural paddy farming communities.
All these lovely goods are housed within a light-filled space where additional pops of colour come courtesy of bespoke rainbow ikat veneer panels and — the pièce de résistance — an entire wall of grosgrain ribbons in 132 shades. When initially setting up Best Borneo, Lee had quipped in her trademark tongue-in-cheek manner about “how it is not your average lobby shop”. After spending even just five minutes in-store, you cannot help but agree with her.
Open daily from 10am-6pm, Best Borneo is on the ground level of Voco Kuching by IHG, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Baru.
This article first appeared on Aug 3, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
