Happy Times is our world online, an archive of the stories, newsletters, launches and special moments we’ve created over the years. But it is also becoming the place where you’ll find something else: special Nala pieces, made in small quantities and sometimes available only online.

This weekend, two new stories are joining Happy Times.

First, our beautiful Kinchaku Bags. Inspired by the traditional Japanese drawstring bag, each one is handmade using fabrics selected from the Nala archives, giving past patterns a completely new life. Finished with a leather strap, every bag comes with a little coin tucked inside for good luck. So when you give a Kinchaku Bag to someone, you’re not simply giving them a bag, you’re wishing them luck in abundance.

And then, it’s game on. Our Nala tennis rackets are arriving in classic Wimbledon purple and green. There are only eight pieces of each colour, making this a very small and very special release.

This is also a little sign of what’s to come. We’ll be bringing more exclusive pieces, limited editions, archive discoveries and special launches to our website, often in quantities that won’t last very long.

So if you want to know what’s coming before it’s gone, sign up for the newsletter.

That’s where the Happy Times begin.

When we moved into our Great World pop-up, we inherited someone else's design decisions. Dark walls, black fixtures, an atmosphere that simply wasn't Nala. At first, I told myself it didn't matter. It was only temporary.

But every day I walked into the store, something felt off.

Our brand is built on one simple belief: we make our universe beautiful. If we expect our team to live that philosophy, then the spaces they spend eight hours a day in should inspire them too. Customers may not always be able to explain it, but they feel it. Our team certainly does.

The moment the black walls came down, the entire shop seemed to breathe. It felt lighter, warmer and finally like us.

The experience reminded me that beautiful spaces don't need enormous budgets. They need thoughtful choices: better lighting, the right colours, carefully selected materials, fresh flowers and the courage to remove what doesn't belong.

I'm incredibly grateful to the Great World team, our contractors and our own team for making what seemed impossible happen in less than 24 hours.

Is it perfect? Not yet. I'd still change a few things. But waiting for perfection is often the best excuse for never starting.

This renovation reminded me of something much bigger than retail.

Compromise has a way of quietly becoming the standard we accept. Until one day, we realise we've stopped creating the world we actually want to live in.

Sometimes the biggest transformation isn't building something new.

It's simply deciding you're no longer willing to compromise.

I still remember sitting my final secondary school exams with my knitting in my bag. Whenever we had a break between papers, I’d quietly knit a few more rows. Looking back, I can’t help but smile. Where did those days go?

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I’ve always felt drawn to Japanese craftsmanship. There is such a deep respect for taking your time, for mastering a skill, and for creating objects that are meant to be cherished rather than replaced. In a world that celebrates speed and convenience, there is something wonderfully rebellious about choosing to make something by hand.

We’ve had the pleasure of working with Tomoko from Cocomahalo Fabric Garden for many years, and every piece she creates reflects that philosophy. Nothing is rushed. Every stitch is careful. Every offcut of fabric is given a second life.

This season, Tomoko has transformed carefully saved fabric remnants into the most beautiful placemats and coasters. What others might see as scraps become elegant pieces that bring warmth and character to a table. It is a quiet reminder that beauty often begins with care, patience and imagination.

Each piece is lovingly hand sewn, one by one, so only a small number are available. You’ll find them exclusively at our Kasturi store. I hope you’ll take a moment to look closely, because in every stitch you’ll find the kind of craftsmanship that deserves to be celebrated and preserved.

It’s always a joy collaborating with Tomoko, and I hope we’ll continue creating together for many years to come.

During COVID, I had to renew my Malaysian driving licence, and my instructor was Suzana. Since I’d already been driving for years, the lessons were really just an excuse for us to chat. While I was supposedly “learning” to drive, Suzana was scrolling through my Instagram, looking at all my latest Nala patterns and happily telling me which ones she liked, which ones she didn’t, and which colours she thought worked best. Somewhere along the way, my driving instructor unexpectedly became my design consultant.

When it came time to finalise my second Tudung collection, Suzana even brought a few of her fellow driving instructors to our office. They spent the afternoon looking through every design, feeling the fabrics and discussing the colours. I trusted their instincts completely, and every single design they approved became part of the final collection. It might sound unusual, but I’ve always believed that good design should resonate with real people, and that’s exactly what happened.

Not long afterwards, we urgently needed someone for a photoshoot. Suzana had once mentioned that she had a daughter, so I gave her a call and asked if Aliya might be available. Less than half an hour later, Aliya walked into our Kasturi store, and that was the first time I met my muse.

What I love most about Aliya is that she’s simply herself. She has a natural beauty that never tries too hard. She looks just as wonderful without makeup as she does with it, and somehow every collection feels at home on her. Whether she’s wearing our Chinese New Year collection, a Raya outfit, one of our T-shirts or now Aloha Kita, she wears every piece with quiet confidence, pride and humility. She never overshadows the collection. She brings it to life.

Today she’s part of the Nala family, she’s studying marketing, and we’re all looking forward to welcoming her back once she graduates. Some people become the face of a brand. Aliya became part of its heart.

Sometimes the universe has a far better plan than we could ever imagine. Mine just happened to begin with a driving lesson.

You don’t need a house full of designer furniture to create a beautiful space. Sometimes, all it takes is one special piece. Mix it with vintage finds, family heirlooms, or even your favourite IKEA furniture, and suddenly the whole room comes to life.

That’s exactly how we love to decorate. Old and new. Colour and simplicity. Pieces with a story.

Each Nala chair, stool, and bench is handmade in Malaysia by Mr. Soo and upholstered in fabrics from our archive, making every piece completely unique.

While you’re there, you’ll also find our latest T shirts, with the Aloha collection arriving soon.

Come and visit Nala Bangsar Village and discover how one beautiful piece can transform your home.