KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — There’s magic in things that are handcrafted out of love, and a sense of appreciation for knick-knacks carefully made.
While some people like gifts that are bought from the store, some people prefer things made by the giver themselves. A handwritten card, a sewn pouch or a stuffed toy made from scraps can be more meaningful than a mass-produced brand.
In 2006, designers Mike Ooi and Ivery Kooi started an online forum for independent designers. The platform served as a community for creative people to share their ideas, give feedback and talk about their love for art.
Named The Pipit (the sound a sparrow makes), it became very popular especially among crafters.
“The reason we started the forum was because there was no such platform for creative people to meet each other. We would organise events to showcase an artist’s work, for example,” said Ooi who was trained as a 3D artist.
His wife Kooi is a graphic designer by profession. The couple started Pippit Zakka, an online store that features art and craft from independent local and regional designers.
Two years ago, they opened their retail space in Taman Connaught, Cheras -- a homely, cosy place where all things fun and lovely can be found.
“I think it (the store) is a great way for independent designers to introduce their creations to the public. In Malaysia, independent designers are good at inventing and crafting but sometimes they don’t have an outlet to share their art with people.
“For us at Pipit Zakka, selling is not the main purpose of the shop. It is to promote and appreciate the craft culture of independent designers,” said Ooi.
The “zakka” movement originated from Japan. According to Pipit’s definition, it means “many things” in Japanese. “The term refers to everything and everything that improves your home, life and appearance... cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, the product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext” said a signboard placed in the store.
Going up the staircase to Pipit Zakka, there are witty cartoons drawn on the walls to welcome you. A wooden “house” awaits you at the top of the stairs and once you step in, you are transported into a cottage with vintage-looking decorations.
Ooi’s dream is to have the store in a spacious building made out of wood with Nature around it and flooded with natural sunlight. Something like the zakkas he has seen in Taiwan and Japan. But it isn’t cheap to build one from scratch here.
Right now, they make do with the unique entrance.
Every two or three months, Pippit Zakka would invite one of their 50 independent designers to showcase their work at the gallery in Taman Connaught.
Recently, they invited a popular doll maker from Johor to introduce her new collection of Evangelione dolls. The dolls were sold out and the ones at the store now are for display only because of the limited supply.
Most of the things at Pippit Zakka, be it fabric, jewellery, pouches or stuffed toys are one-of-a-kind. Usually, the independent designers who showcase their work at the store make a small quantity of their art because of the work involved in making them.
“What we look for in design is creativity. Anyone can make a bag. We are not looking for duplicates and ‘robots’! If your design is special and fits the ‘zakka’ philosophy, we would be more than happy to feature your work,” said Ooi.
Since their inception, the community at Pipit has grown to include designers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
There are a handful of stand-out independent designers from Malaysia as well. Some of these designers are so popular that they are often invited to other countries to promote their art.
“The things we have here are mostly exclusive. We even carry imported bi-monthly ‘zakka’ magazines for our customers,” said Ooi.
So, how’s the independent designer scene in Malaysia?
“Some designers are good at promoting their art and that motivates them do better. Others don’t do so well because they set high prices for their work.
When they can’t sell their work, they eventually give up after awhile.”
Interested in the ‘zakka’ movement? Give Mike and Ivery a “pipit”.
Pippit Zakka Store
11-2, Jalan Menara Gading 1,
Taman Connaught, 56000
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Fridays to Sundays, 12pm till 7pm
Website: www.pipitzakkastore.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pipitzakkastore
Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepipit
This story was first published in the print edition of The Malay Mail, August 15, 2013.
