Food aside, one of the other major reasons why people attend Artbox Malaysia is to check out talented artists or designers from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand who often handcraft their goods or play some role in designing and curating them. This year, under the theme “Assemble”, Artbox Malaysia 2019 runs from 6 to 8 and 13 to 15 September at Sunway City.
Divided neatly into four parallel aisles is an array of local and international creative stalls selling apparel and accessories. In total, there should be around 135 retail stalls operating from 3PM to 11PM for each day that Artbox is open. Out of the 135, here are 19 local entrepreneurs and startups we discovered while attending Artbox Malaysia.
1. ANAABU.CO
ANAABU.CO is a fashion and apparel brand established in 2010 that practices sustainable fashion and caters to men and women. Its designs take on the concept of minimalism and “soft androgyny” with materials like linen and cotton in muted colours.
2. Cornasian
Cornasian is a local popcorn brand that uses no artificial preservatives in its Malaysian-inspired gourmet popcorn. Its popcorn usually comes in three flavours: Satay, Gula Melaka and Sambal, but exclusively for Artbox Malaysia 2019, they’ve developed a Tom Yam flavour.
3. Dpurify
Dpurify is a brand that handcrafts beauty and home care products in small batches. It includes no harsh chemicals, preservatives, artificial colouring or synthetic fragrance in its skin and hair care products. They also carry aromatherapy products and zero waste alternatives to daily-use items.
4. Jacktus
Jacktus (also known as Jacculents) is a Malaysian who puts his eight years of succulent-growing experience into creating unique homes for the plants and providing succulent care workshops. At Artbox, we saw succulent homes made out of toy dinosaurs. Besides that, he also creates Malaysian-themed art for stickers, keychains and tote bags.
5. JorePro_Print
JorePro_Print is the work of a local printmaker who loves patterns and hand-printing on paper and fabrics. The designs are pleasant and simple with motifs taken from flora and fauna, geometric patterns and even popular food and drinks like bubble tea.
6. Joey.Láfre
Joey.Láfre is an online store selling premium sanitary pads that claims to be different from and healthier than commercial sanitary pad brands. Its pads come in beautifully designed packaging that is inspired by the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.
7. Le Lapin
Le Lapin sells delicately-designed jewellery such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets and even hairpins. For some of their earring designs, they also offer earclip versions that don’t require the wearer to have pierced ears. You can also find hypoallergenic options for their jewellery.
8. Miyukichooo
Miyukichooo belongs to a Malaysian watercolour painter named Choo Keat Chi Miyuki. Her watercolour art takes inspiration from local and Asian food, drawn as realistic as possible while still maintaining a sketched look. She sells her designs as stickers, postcards and other merchandise.
9. Ms Shy Creations
Ms Shy Creations is the work of an entrepreneur who handcrafts aroma stones to place in your car, handbag, office, bedroom, and anywhere else you see fit. They can be handcrafted to look like animals or even cartoon characters, and they vapourise essential oils without the use of electricity or heat.
10. My BookCraft
My BookCraft is a startup that crafts customisable notebooks, diaries and organisers on a made to order basis. They can tailor their products for an individual’s needs, for corporates and their employees, and even to present as a gift to your business partner.
11. NinetyTwo 92
NinetyTwo 92 is a Malaysian brand that sells handmade accessories like jewellery and hairclips that are sourced from Korea. For Artbox Malaysia, they’re introducing exclusive designs inspired by pop culture that come in limited quantities.
12. Passion.Precious
Passion.Precious belongs to Michelle Ng who handmakes phone cases and wearable accessories like earrings. The designs her products carry are bright and colourful with recurring motifs of rainbows, food and animals. You can also request for her to customise a design you like to a certain extent.
13. Pestle & Mortar Clothing
Pestle & Mortar is one Malaysian brand that is pretty much a household name nowadays among the younger generation. With their designs on their apparel that pay homage to the Malaysian lifestyle, culture and homeland, it’s no surprise they’ve found their way into the wardrobes of many Malaysians.
14. Rumput
Rumput is an online florist that prepares and delivers freshly-cut bouquets to doorsteps upon request. Besides your regular bouquets full of petalled flowers, you can also order tropical baskets with bird-of-paradise plants for something more out of the ordinary.
15. Summerveil
Summerveil is a clothing brand for women that carries more feminine styles with ruffled blouses and flowing dresses, with a pop of colour here and there in the spirit of summer. They also sell shoes, swimsuits, bags and accessories.
16. The Tipsy Styler
The Tipsy Styler sells handmade earring designs that can also be used with earclips for those without pierced ears. Their designs are inspired by the retro ’80s and ’90s and they’ve also recently begun handcrafting earrings in the shapes of various food and daily-use products.
17. The Write Shop
The Write Shop is a stationery shop that sells notebooks with covers inspired by various things like leaves, flowers and mountains along with doodled faces. They also sell sticky notes with simple and adorable designs.
18. TixiT
TixiT is the brand Brian Lim, an illustrator, sells his designs under. Miyukichooo, who was mentioned earlier in this article is his business partner in TixiT. Brian’s illustrations are sold as prints, on pocket notebooks and even shirts.
19. We Enjoy Simplicity
Established in 2014, We Enjoy Simplicity is a women’s fashion brand that carries clothing designed with minimalism in mind. Much like ANAABU.CO, their clothes come in earthy, neutral and muted colours, perfect for those who enjoy casual styles and foregoing the attention.
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Not all of the entrepreneurs and startups mentioned will be setting up stalls for the second week of Artbox on 13 to 15 September, but they can all be found online so you’ll still be able to take a look at their apparel and accessories for purchasing purposes.
- You can find out more about Artbox Malaysia 2019 here.
Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post