We don't mean to alarm you, but Christmas is just days away. Instead of scrambling around for a gift, we've listed five local stores to help sort out your gifting woes. Best of all, some of these shops champion works by homegrown artisans and craftspeople who have given their products – inspired by local heritage and design – a contemporary update. Now, wallets at the ready...
Located on the fifth floor of Menara Ilham, the Ilham Gallery Gift Shop sources their products from artisans, designers and craftspeople from all over the country. Look out for an extensive range of items – from bags, clothes and stationery to books – by Bingka, Medea Treasures, Mowgli, Bentuk Bentuk, Mossery, Raksasa Prints, and more. Bag some iced gem biscuits on your way out to rekindle that childhood nostalgia.
Menara Ilham 8, Persiaran KLCC. 03 2181 5128. www.ilhamgallery.com. Tues-Sat, 10.30am-7pm; Sun, 10.30am-5pm.
Ilaika is a fashion boutique, bookstore, coffee joint and a furniture store all rolled into one. The select store, championing at least 20 homegrown brands, has catapulted itself to the forefront of the local retail landscape, offering vintage, eco-friendly and one-of-a-kind alternatives to fast fashion and mass market merchandise. A coffee machine whirs quietly at the back of the store, prompting one to stop, sip and shop at a leisurely pace.
17 Jalan 20/13, Petaling Jaya. For more information, check fb.com/ilaikaselectstore. Daily, 11am-9pm.
Championing Malaysian-made products, local designers Adela Askandar and Farah Azizan have engaged local craftsmen to design furniture that are made from local materials, such as rattan strings and timber balusters salvaged from old shoplots. You’ll find Kedai Bikin's furniture, which have been given a contemporary upgrade, familiar enough, like the Grandaddy Lounger and Merdeka chairs. Home decor lovers would most certainly appreciate the colourful cushions, Bidayuh baskets, ceramic tableware by Bendang Studio and table runners on display too.
8 Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar, KL. 03 2201 5503. www.kedaibikin.com. Daily, 10am-7pm.
Independent bookstores are making a comeback, and the latest addition to the literary scene in the Klang Valley is Lit Books in Tropicana Avenue, PJ. The well-edited space, curated by husband-and wife team Fong Min Hun and Elaine Lau, stocks at least 15% backlist books (not newly published titles) and classics, including collector’s editions of Jane Eyre and Sherlock Holmes. Can’t decide what to buy for the bibliophile in your life? Lit Books also sell items such as tote bags, notebooks and stationery from Out of Print, Franklin Mill and Obvious State.
P-0-11, Tropicana Avenue, 12 Jalan Persiaran Tropicana, PJ. 03 7886 6988. www.litbooks.com.my. Tues-Sun, 11am-9pm.
Ever since Nala moved into their flagship store in the beautiful Kampung House in Bangsar, owner and creative director Lisette Scheers has expanded her product line that includes a wider range of bags, totes, scarves, accessories, home items and stationery. Their reversible ‘Baise en Ville My Kuih or the Highway’ bag has remained an all-time favourite, followed by their cushy pillows that will add a pop of colour to your living room.
18 Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar. For more information, check naladesigns.com. Daily, 10am-7pm.
