Maneknya is a social enterprise founded by two Peranakan sisters, Swee Lin and Swee May, who share a deep passion for preserving and promoting their cultural heritage. Inspired by the intricate beauty of traditional manek beadwork, they launched Maneknya to celebrate and modernise this unique craft. The brand offers art pieces, shoes, and lifestyle products that blend timeless Peranakan aesthetics with contemporary design, aiming to keep this heritage alive for future generations.

At the heart of Maneknya is manek embroidery, a meticulous beadwork technique using high-quality Miyuki and Czech glass beads. Each piece is hand-embroidered with care, resulting in elegant, detailed designs that complement both traditional and modern styles. Maneknya has brought a fresh perspective to traditional nyonya beadwork, with the goal of not only creating beautiful, high-quality products but also inspiring others to appreciate the cultural significance behind the craft.

Maneknya also creates meaningful employment opportunities for women, referred to as Artisans, by providing embroidery and entrepreneurial training that allows many to work from home while caring for their families. To date, they have trained over 300 embroiderers, tailors, and bag makers across Malaysia. As part of its partnership with The Social Space, 10% of each Maneknya product purchased will be donated to Kelab Serumpun, a women-led organisation in Selangor, Malaysia that supports marginalised communities through skills training and empowerment programmes.