The Christmas Atelier

This year, my daughters & I set up pop- up stall in The Christmas Atelier. Held over the last weekend of November, the marketplace featured 19 Singaporean brands. Jade Life And Wellness, our brand, was honored to be among these. We planned to launch our book on mindful bedtime conversations, Good Night Marion, here.

The Floral Atelier

We could not have asked for a more beautiful venue for our book launch. The Atelier at Delta House serves as the headquarters of The Floral Atelier as well as The Wedding Atelier. Consequently, nooks are filled with beautiful blooms and the ceiling is draped with a multitude of chandeliers.

Partner Brands

When we arrived to set up, I gawked at my partner vendors who came armed to the teeth with their professional pop-up machinery. Carpenters set up backdrops bearing brand names. Designers artfully crafted a landscape of visual merchandise. Technical crew re-positioned lights to bring out the best in their wares. There I was, standing with a couple of suitcases and my 8-year-old wondering where to start.

Fortunately the patient team from The Floral Atelier set up a long table with white skirting for me. Furthermore, they placed me next to a beautiful Christmas tree so my stall looked more festive. My friends from Ying The Label, bought me an enormous balloon with Jade Life And Wellness splashed across it as signage. In addition, my neighbour, Maison Q, which sells the cutest reversible children’s clothes, was kind enough to lend me a lovely clothes rack. The night before, the founder of Sea Apple, also a children’s brand, and I were messaging each other word of encouragement.

Meanwhile I knew I would be firm friends with teams carrying essential resuscitative fluids. These turned out to be PPP Coffee for hot brewed coffee & Brass Lion Distillery for extremely tasty gin.

Magic In The Atelier

When the fair began, something magical happened. Friends surged in support. Incredibly, our book sold out in 48 hours.

All around us, other businesses thrived too, whilst supporting one another. Motherswork and Sunday Folks were always busy, in part due to my childrens’ patronage.

Craftsmen Urban Lil’ & Bynd Artisan and jeweller Carrie K always had a stream of traffic gawking at their bespoke items. I noticed that fashion labels Stolen & Run After also had family & supporters admiring their unique collections. In fact, I myself am a fan of all those brands & their founders!

Whilst adhering to strict safe distancing measures, Scene Shang managed to entertain cosy parties within their gorgeous space decked out with traditional furniture with a modern twist. Masks only came off when customers sank their teeth into delicious treats from Da Paolo, Window Sill Pies and Bakery Brera.

By the time we closed the marketplace on 29 November, we were exhausted but extremely fulfilled. Despite all the challenges we faced, as a community we pulled it off. What a perfect start to the Christmas season. How magical.