Featuring the best shops that wittily turns classic Malaysian items – furniture, home decor and fashion – into contemporary design gold.
Whether it's furniture, fashion or home decor items, these brands and shops are updating the classic Malaysian aesthetics into modern forms. Think batik clutches, coffee bags turned laundry bins, totes made out of vintage rice sacks, and more.
APOM aka A Piece of Malaysia is a local brand that sells t-shirts, tote bags and more, showcasing Malaysian culture, slang and road signs. You'll see famous Malaysian slangs like "lah" and "tapau" printed boldly on shirts. And, a quirky souvenir for tourists to bring back A Piece of Malaysia with them.
www.apom.my
Craft goes beyond the cross stitch in Malaysia, and at the core of Johor-based brand HOMM is the notion of (de)constructing Malaysian craft practices, weaving in contemporary designs. It’s the best of both worlds: time-honoured local craftsmanship-meets-modern minimalist aesthetics. In their store, you’ll see items like bamboo (and rattan) baskets, typically used for decor and storage, getting a second lease on life as a woven wall clock – hanging on your wall, it’ll be in the right place at the right time.
hommdesignshop.wix.com/homm
Arcadia, formerly Outdated, stocks a whole load of vintage paraphernalia, unrelated except that they’re all cool. Old bicycle models lean against vintage cabinets, which are topped with tiffin carriers, typewriters and toys. Their latest claim to fame is the portable Arcadia 1.0 record player à la Crosley turntable, available in blue, black, brown and orange.
facebook.com/arcadiakualalumpur
Proclaim your national pride. Whether you're looking for locally made or designed batik cheongsam, Malaysiana artworks, glasses, T-shirts, home decor, jewellery or even stationery, you'd find it all at these shops.
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