"One day I visited my friend at his workshop, and I became fascinated with all the possibilities that leather had to offer."
Nanan is the artistic name of Wahju Cahyono, a young Javanese designer now living in Bali.
"I was born on August 1, 1978 in Malang, Java. My introduction to tooled leather and tannery was completely casual, and I had to learn everything, from the very basics. A good friend of mine in Java had a leather workshop in Ubud, Bali. One day I visited my friend at his workshop, and I became fascinated with all the possibilities that leather had to offer.
"My interest spiked because I have always enjoyed a new challenge, and I didn't know anything about working with leather. Since I love to learn new things, I worked with him for two years, until I met a Japanese woman who later became my wife.
"My wife has given me the greatest support I've ever had, and we decided to start our own small workshop. She helps me with the designs and the marketing. We have had a good response from our customers and that's why I continue to create new pieces. My designs have become a way of expressing myself.
"I am very thankful to my wife and to God for giving me all the support and the skills I have."
