All Owl by Dowlani prints are meticulously hand drawn by Nikita, and focus on selling an entire lifestyle as opposed to a single product. Image courtesy of Owl by Dowlani.
What better way to participate in social enterprise than to indulge in a panoply of beautifully handmade goods? Owl by Dowlani is a homegrown print and pattern house by Nikita Dowlani, an alumna of both London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins, which has teamed up with other boutique brands for an eclectic bazaar that will let you do just that.
Better yet, not only are many of the brands social impact driven – Helping Hands Penan, for example, aids indigenous Penan weavers – but 20% of the profits will also be donated to Nimble Fingers Cambodia. Founded two years ago by Rebekah Yeoh, Nimble Fingers Cambodia equips underprivileged Cambodian children with the business knowledge to nurture creative enterprising; since all profits are recycled back into the business, the concepts of sustainability and savings are also emphasised.
So, why don’t you get involved? On March 4th, the collaborative event A Few Of My Favourite Things will be a fashionable melting pot where you can shop and support. Think joyfully coloured accessories, luxe sportswear, handmade jewelry and triple scented candles – all this and more will be available for purchasing in good conscience.
Need to Know
Apart from Owl by Dowlani, here are just a few of the brands available at the event – we hope you’re as excited as we are.
Frankitas
Frankitas purchases textiles at fair trade prices directly from the weavers or through NGO’s that represent them, in places like Lombok and Flores Island. Image courtesy of Frankitas.
This brand fuses striking contemporary designs with traditional textile motifs such as Ikat, Batik and Songket; it’s a fresh take on heritage to let the modern Malaysian woman express her taste effortlessly. Frankitas also employs economically disadvantaged crafters to not only nurture the preservation of such traditional art, but also to build a working community full of opportunity.
Voluspa
Fueled by a passion for art and fragrance, the Arntsens started crafting scented candles in their own home kitchen circa 1999. Image courtesy of Voluspa.
Trendy California-based Voluspa, founded by Troy and Traci Arntsen, specialises in creating luxury home fragrances. Each candle is uniquely triple scented and composed of only the best clean burning food grade wax – their gorgeous candles are some of the longest lasting on the market.
Helping Hands Penan
The Penan are nomadic aboriginal people living predominantly in Sarawak. Image courtesy of Helping Hands Penan.
Initially formed by expat wives, this brand’s mission is to empower the women of the Penan tribe and to help them support their children’s education. The women’s traditional weaving skills form stunning bags, baskets and mats; any funds raised are channelled back into the Penan community with the hope that one day, “Every Penan Child Can Go To School.”
And there’s more…
Coffee&Covet, MantraBandMY, Stephanos Jewellery, Ash Be Nimble and Chun Petite Mademoiselle will also be selling their gorgeous wares at the bazaar. Shall we see you there?
A Few of My Favourite Things
3pm-8pm, March 4th 2017
Sky Lounge, Tower A, 11 Mont Kiara, KL, Malaysia
https://www.facebook.com/events/711631668997486/
