• This artisanal handicraft brand that was a digital space has now opened their own store down Horton Place…   

For years, Isle of Rataa existed primarily in the digital space as a carefully curated online platform championing Sri Lankan handicrafts, artisans and heritage-driven design. In 2025, the brand took a decisive and deeply symbolic step forward, opening the doors to its first standalone physical store – a space that is as much an experience as it is a retail destination.

Located on Horton Place, Colombo 07, the store marks a significant milestone for the brand, reflecting not just growth but a renewed commitment to preserving, reimagining and sustaining Sri Lanka’s craft traditions in a rapidly changing world.

Isle of Rataa was launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when online retail flourished, and digital platforms became lifelines for both consumers and small businesses. The brand thrived in connecting customers to handcrafted Sri Lankan products at a time when physical shopping was nearly impossible. But as the world reopened, consumer behaviour shifted. “People wanted to touch, feel, and really experience what they were buying,” explains Nilusha Shivaraj, one of the brand’s founders. “We were constantly asked, ‘Where can we come and see your products?’”

While Isle of Rataa stocked curated selections at partner outlets, these spaces could never showcase the full breadth of their work or the stories behind it. Eventually, the decision became clear: if the brand was to truly honour its artisans and products, it needed a space of its own.

The store officially opened in November, the result of years of planning, rethinking, and a belief that physical retail could offer something digital never fully could. Every inch of the Isle of Rataa store has been intentionally designed to reflect the brand’s ethos. With limited space to work with, the challenge was not scale, but depth. Natural materials dominate the interiors – warm wood finishes, cane elements and terracotta flooring echo the products themselves. The choice was deliberate: handmade materials for a brand built entirely on handmade processes. “This store had to feel like Isle of Rataa,” says Heshani Bogollagama, the brand’s other founder. “It couldn’t just be a showroom. It had to embody the same values as the brand.”

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the store is its dedicated exhibition room, a space designed to spotlight craft not just as function, but as art. Every month, the room will highlight a different craft sector or artisan, allowing visitors to see the full potential of Sri Lankan handicrafts beyond everyday utility. From lacquerware (laksha) and embroidery to devil masks and painting traditions, the exhibition room reframes these practices as artistic expressions shaped by generations of knowledge.

“One of our goals is to expand how people understand handicraft,” Heshani explains. “It’s not just about using an object; it’s about appreciating the labour, skill, and creativity behind it.” Importantly, all proceeds from pieces sold in the exhibition room go directly to the artisan, a conscious effort to ensure fair recognition and compensation.

Isle of Rataa currently works with several hundred artisans across Sri Lanka, and that network continues to expand. New sectors such as crochet, coconut shell work, and contemporary lacquerware have been introduced, while long-standing partnerships remain at the heart of the brand. “We’ve grown, but we’ve never left our original artisans behind,” says Nilusha. “The batik artisans we started with are still with us today. We’ve grown together.”

Artisan scouting remains a hands-on, organic process, sometimes sparked by chance encounters at local markets or unplanned detours during research trips. These moments often lead to long-term collaborations that enrich the brand’s offering and extend economic opportunities to new communities.

Beyond artisan-made products, the new store also functions as a concept space for young Sri Lankan designers. Rather than absorbing these designers under the Isle of Rataa label, the brand gives them space to sell under their own names, preserving their individual identities while connecting them to wider artisan networks. From batik fashion and Dumbara weaving to handloom footwear, these collaborations bridge traditional techniques with contemporary design thinking. Each partnership brings with it not just new products, but entire ecosystems of artisans who now find representation through the store.

Workshops have always been central to Isle of Rataa’s mission, but having a permanent space allows the brand to expand this offering significantly. Live demonstrations, hands-on sessions and educational workshops now form a regular part of the store’s programming. From lacquer engraving to pottery and batik, these experiences demystify craft processes that many consumers take for granted. They also play a crucial role in ensuring that traditional skills are passed on. “There’s a real risk of losing these crafts if the next generation isn’t exposed to them,” notes Heshani. “If children don’t see or try these processes, they won’t choose them.” Past initiatives with schools including after-school craft programmes have shown how powerful early exposure can be, not just in preserving skills, but in nurturing respect for handmade work across cultures and languages. While exports remain part of Isle of Rataa’s long-term vision, the focus for now is firmly on strengthening its foundation at home. With shifting global markets and a growing Asian consumer base, the brand is reassessing how and where Sri Lankan craft can find its place internationally. As Isle of Rataa settles into its new physical home, one thing is clear: this is not just a store opening, but the next chapter in an ongoing journey rooted in craft and community.

 The Isle of Rataa store is located at 45/4B, Horton Place, Colombo 07.

 

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