There is something incredibly satisfying about holding a beautifully printed publication in your hands. In a world where almost everything lives on a screen, paper somehow slows us down. It invites us to sit with a cup of coffee, turn the pages at our own pace and discover the details that are so often lost with a quick swipe. Perhaps that’s because I come from the world of print. Before Nala, I spent eight wonderful years in advertising, when layouts were still pinned to walls, ideas were sketched on paper and beautifully printed work was something to celebrate. I suppose I’ve never quite let go of that love.

That is exactly why we created our very first Nala newspaper.

More than a lookbook, it is a coffee table publication that celebrates the stories behind the collection, the photography and the craftsmanship that goes into every piece. It is also the result of a friendship that began more than thirty years ago.

Fred Van Hoof and I first met at VVL/BBDO in Brussels, the very first advertising agency I joined after graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Fred was the art director, his wife, Virginie, was the copywriter, and together they formed one of the most inspiring creative teams I have ever had the privilege of working with. Those were the Mad Men days. Long lunches over good wine, late nights, unforgettable parties and, above all, a relentless passion for great ideas and beautiful work. I spent eight wonderful years in advertising in Belgium, and the friendships I made at VVL/BBDO remain some of my closest friends to this day. They have truly stood the test of time.

Many of you will recognise Fred’s name from our recent Aloha Malaysia campaign, where he photographed the collection. What you may not know is that he is also an exceptional designer, and this newspaper is entirely his creation. Together, we wanted to produce something that deserved to be kept rather than thrown away. Something you could leave on your coffee table, pick up months from now and enjoy all over again.

The newspaper was photographed in beautiful Penang, with many of the images captured at the iconic Eastern & Oriental Hotel. A heartfelt thank you to my dear friend Alison, the hotel’s General Manager, and her wonderful team for opening their doors to us. The elegance, history and timeless charm of the hotel became the perfect backdrop for the collection. Looking back, everything simply fell into place. Wonderful people, beautiful locations, lifelong friendships and a collection we are incredibly proud of. Sometimes creative projects have a way of coming together that feels almost effortless, and this was one of those rare occasions.

Printing the newspaper was no easy task. The photography is rich, atmospheric and full of subtle detail, making it surprisingly difficult to reproduce faithfully on paper. After countless adjustments, we finally achieved the result we had hoped for, and I honestly couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

This is only Part One. When the second collection drops later this year, it will be accompanied by a second newspaper, completing the story.

With any purchase, you’ll receive a complimentary copy while stocks last. Whether you love photography, design or simply beautiful printed objects, I hope you’ll take one home, put the kettle on, make yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy it the old fashioned way. Sometimes the most beautiful stories are the ones you can actually hold in your hands.

A tiny post about handmade pastels.

Finally… something worth stopping for.

That single post led me to Still Got It, one of the most beautifully curated Instagram accounts I’ve come across in a long time. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, forgotten workshops and the people who continue making extraordinary things by hand. The kind of places you would never find unless someone lovingly pointed you in their direction.

One of their posts introduced me to La Maison du Pastel in Paris, the world’s oldest pastel maker, where every pastel stick is still made by hand using centuries-old techniques. As someone who grew up drawing with pastels, I was completely captivated.

There’s something magical about working with pastels. Unlike paint or pencils, the colour sits on the surface like pure pigment, soft and velvety. You work on specially textured paper so the powder has something to cling to, and the colours blend almost effortlessly with your fingers. It’s a medium that has enchanted artists for centuries. Edgar Degas famously used pastels for many of his ballerinas, creating works that still seem to glow today.

Somewhere in my house is a beautiful wooden box of pastels that belonged to my grandfather. I haven’t seen it in years, but discovering La Maison du Pastel made me want to find it again and start drawing. Isn’t it funny how inspiration works? Sometimes all it takes is one unexpected image to reconnect you with a part of yourself you’d almost forgotten.

The next time I’m in Paris, La Maison du Pastel will be one of my very first stops.

So thank you, Still Got It, for reminding me that social media can still introduce us to remarkable people, remarkable places and remarkable craftsmanship. Every now and then, hidden amongst all the noise, you stumble across something so beautiful that it makes every swipe worthwhile.