Through The Looking Glass

Did you know the story of Alice Through The Looking Glass? The writer Lewis Carroll wrote that Alice found her way inside a mirror and discovered a whole new world, a fantastical world where chessmen are alive and objects could talk. Alice had the ball of her time and although it was a dream it felt very real. Often we feel like Alice, especially when we found new products and the process of curation starts there. We conceptualise colours and styles in our visual mind and try to make them into reality. Our most favourite activity as our audience can already tell by now is when we are merchandising the store, it does feel like time can stand still, in the midst of the moment we are frozen in time. The start of a new love they say feels a lot like that, the beginning of a relationship, for us this is very much similar. A few days ago someone asked us what is our pastime activity? Truth be told, we love what we do so much it is like waking up and eating, it is like second nature it keeps us moving forward and challenged. It starts with an idea, creating many scenarios and processes to make it happen, that is exciting, gut wrenching, at times sad and disappointing but it is the only way we know. Canaan is our true love story.

Tana Toraja, a Trip of a Lifetime

The say to travel is a luxury one can afford and traveling around Indonesia is a whole different experience like no other. As we reflect back to the journey of opening Canaan there is always that one adventure that took us back in time. A beautiful time.

Tana Toraja, the south of Sulawesi, a land with ancient beliefs or as the locals say Aluk To Dolo that means “Ways of the Ancestors” is a mountainous region surround by traditional houses with intricate carvings. We were greeted by the warm welcome of locals and weavers around the island, mostly women with weaving skills that are ingrained in their memory passed from generations.

We watched the sunrise from 1500m above ground up in the mountains where the clouds entered our home, enjoyed many discussion on how best to eat a durian and feasted on traditional Toraja cuisine prepared by Chef Antoine Audran. During our encounters we met Ibu Dinny Yusuf, a pioneer who founded Torajamelo, a foundation focused on empowering women through weaving creating a better work-life balance to overcome poverty. We are reminded once again that education is key to Indonesia, the lack of education for the young generation is a problematic issue in many rural parts of Indonesia and only education we can empower young women and men to believe in themselves and elevate their confidence. Once again we are humbled by this experience and we hope that we can visit Tana Toraja again soon.