Inspired by modern and heritage musical instruments, Kapten Batik’s ORKES 2026 collection translates rhythm and melody into a refined series of batik designs, launching ahead of Ramadan and Raya.
Following the previously discarded-inspired OVERTHING collection in mid-2025, ORKES continues Kapten Batik’s exploration of creative expression through fashion craftsmanship in the first half of 2026. This time, the designers turn to music for inspiration, translating the forms and spirit of musical instruments – past and present – into a new batik shirt series that reflects music’s enduring role in everyday life.
Described as “A Symphony in Batik,” ORKES is conceived as a collective expression shaped by an ensemble of modern and heritage instruments. The collection honours the shared artistry between hand-played music and handcrafted batik, reinterpreting that dialogue into motifs that bring rhythm and movement to fabric.
Design references span contemporary instruments such as the saxophone, electric guitar, and synthesizer, alongside heritage instruments including the gong, sape, gambus, serunai, seruling, and selected elements from gamelan sets. The result is a series of prints that balance recognizable silhouettes with stylized abstraction, rendered through traditional batik techniques.
A range of artisanal batik designs has been developed for ORKES, aligned with Kapten Batik’s signature series. These include the copper-wax produced Masterpiece line, the carved wood artistry of Maharaja, and the design-driven Nusantara range. The collection also features the brand’s Linen line and newly introduced Kurung Kedah sets.
Designs are offered in Modern Fit and Slim Fit, with short-sleeve options available. The collection is certified under OEKO-TEX® standards, a globally recognized textile certification that ensures health safety, responsible production, and supply chain transparency.
The campaign’s visual direction is led by Syazwan A., the brand’s Creative Services Manager, in collaboration with Fadli Muhsin. The concept explores the intersection of batik and music as parallel crafts, presented as a single artistic narrative.
Rooted in Syazwan’s personal interests in music, architecture, and storytelling, the campaign brings together a collective of modern and classical musicians from Agal Musik. The group composed Nusantara funk–inspired pieces titled Suzanne, Gemerlapan, Awan, and a cover of Dendang Perantau. These works are performed live within a batik workshop setting, where Kapten Batik’s in-house artisans practise traditional batik canting techniques alongside the music.
The visual presentation creates a shared space where the two disciplines coexist. Motifs designed by Syahirah and Sofeanna are positioned not merely as decorative elements, but as visual translations of sound and movement, interpreted through wax and dye.
Kapten Batik, founded by Ekram Faiz and Farhan Omar, has positioned itself as a contemporary voice in artisanal wear. The award-winning brand views batik as more than formal attire, presenting it instead as part of a broader lifestyle expression. Its approach emphasizes heritage craftsmanship while adapting traditional techniques for modern wardrobes.
With ORKES, the brand continues that direction, combining narrative-driven design with material craftsmanship. The collection will be available in boutiques and online from February 20, 2026, forming the first release of the brand’s main 2026 collection and arriving just in time for the Ramadan and Raya season.
To learn more, visit www.kaptenbatik.com.my.
