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A group of entrepreneurial expat women staged a Winter’s Tale Bazaar at Amwaj Islands offering shoppers a range of homemade goods themed on the festive season.
What started off as a ‘one-day’ sale, organised by French friends Nathaly Jung, 42, and Virginie Dreyer, 40, soon turned into an annual series with more creative women taking part every year and another event this coming weekend.
The heart-warming event, which was held at one of the designer’s homes, showcased a selection of handmade candles, clothing, jewellery and accessories with proceeds geared towards different charities around the world.
Nathaly, a personal stylist and clothing designer, from Adliya, said: “Virginie and I first started developing ‘pop-up’ shops five years ago to feature our work. Then we started inviting more people to join in such as photographers, artists and other women that had a skill they wanted to share. We also have a strong charity focus.”
The family home was transformed into a bustling Turkish-style bazaar with different corners of the living room featuring bright and colourful items for sale. Nathaly, who took over the left side of the room along with her friend Virgine, had a clothing rack filled with colourful printed children’s dresses, Moroccan-inspired tops for adults and fun handbags.
Her label, Lucie in the Sky, is named after her six-year-old daughter and it also happens to be her favourite Beatles song. Her designs start from BD10 up to BD35.
She said: “I design clothing for children and ladies. I get my inspiration from the Bahraini traditional fabrics and also from the lifestyle we have here. So you will find my children’s designs are a mixture of light flowing dresses that are comfortable and easy to wear.
“I use a lot of liberty of England and I try to use 100 per cent cotton. I do import the fabrics because it is hard to find them here. However, I design and sketch the outfits and work with a tailor in Bahrain.”
While some visitors placed orders with Nathaly, others were mesmerised by the shiny Om Jewellery designed by Virginie.
Virginie, who is also a yoga instructor, from Budaiya, developed an interest in chakras, which are believed to be centres of the body from which a person can collect energy.
Her designs, which are made by Al Zain Jewellery, feature 18-carat gold necklaces, rings, and bracelets in seven chakra symbols and styles. Each symbol has a different meaning and a semi-precious stone attached. They are priced from BD100 for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings to BD650 for a diamond necklace, with 20 per cent of the proceeds donated to a school for handicapped children in the south of France.
She also draws fun illustrations which can be found on her website www.tinyus.com, and all the proceeds from every art work sold will also be funded to the same charity.
Keeping in line with the theme of giving, healers and yoga instructors Kate Brown, 35, and Annie Riley, 52, filled the room with their positive energy and unique product lines.
Riley, a former teacher at St Christopher’s School and the British School of Bahrain, from Amwaj, had a variety of aromatherapy oils, therapy bags for the back and neck, tiny worry dolls and handmade hair clips for sale starting from BD1 to BD10.
All the proceeds will be donated to a school in Belize in Central America. She also offered a selection of yoga mats and scarves made by the women of the Al Ihsan Charity Centre in Ajman, a non-profit charity organisation dedicated to serving the poor and distressed.
She said: “The materials are all donated to the ladies, then they make the goods and we sell it. All the money goes back directly to each individual.”
They are also providing funding for The Saha Astitva Foundation, which works towards the harmonious integration of forests, fields and people, by selling their handmade scarves.
Kate added: “The scarves are being sold from a farm in India and it’s all organic. The money goes back to the people who handwove the items to support their community. They also grow rice and we have cookies made with their first batch of rice from their farm.”
As Kate invited women to sample the cookies, owner of the house, Monia Lazrak, 36, shared an assortment of Tunisian finger foods and beverages with the guests. The Tunisian candle-maker, had a collection of her designs, some festive and other decorative on her coffee table and along her kitchen breakfast bar.
She said: “Before coming to the region I was a banker and now I’m a candle-maker. All my candles are made in my kitchen at home. I started making candles a year ago for leisure and then decided to start selling them. I also sell 100 per cent organic Moroccan skin care products. I have Moroccan black soap and rose water. “
Her candles start from BD3.5 to sets at BD18 which consist of a tray and three candle stick holders and candles.
Newcomer to the kingdom, Anick Porte, 46, a housewife, from Amwaj, purchased a candle set from Monia. She said: “I think it’s a great bazaar and great opportunity to meet some people while buying stuff that you won’t normally find in stores. Plus, it also raises money and awareness of good causes.”
*For those that missed the Anwaj bazaar it will be on again today from 9am to noon and 5pm to 7pm at Mansour Garden 6, villa 38 on Budaiya Highway. For more information contact 39194692.
