shipping icon

pickup icon

0

Your Cart is Empty

X

Welcoming a new lunar year

February 08, 2024

This weekend marks the start of a new year in the Lunar calendar. Those born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be ambitious, energetic, and charismatic. They are natural leaders and unafraid to take risks, making them magnetic personalities in social and professional circles.

Our guest editor for this week’s Design Store News is Miro Miro jewellery designer Andrea Goh.

Andrea Goh’s beautiful, handcrafted jewellery incorporates aspects of her Chinese and Malaysian heritage. Her new Autumn/Winter Miro Miro collection (as seen above) is inspired by the moon and constellations and is instore and online now.


“Lunar New Year holds a special place for me, playing a significant role in my family's traditions. It stands out as the most cherished and festive occasion, symbolising new beginnings,” explains Andrea.

“Living in Australia for most of my life, there are moments when I feel a slight disconnect from my Chinese-Malaysian roots. Lunar New Year, however, is a strong link, providing a sense of connection to my culture that surpasses any other time of the year.

“As a designer, I’ve found inspiration in the rich symbolism of my heritage. Integrating symbolic and nostalgic colours and shapes into my designs has become a way for me not only to express my cultural identity, but also to bridge the gap between my life in Australia and my Chinese-Malaysian heritage. It’s a creative journey that allows me to infuse my work with the depth and meaning drawn from generations of tradition.

“In essence, Lunar New Year serves as a cultural anchor, reminding me of the beauty in traditions and the importance of staying connected to my roots.”

Andrea chooses her favourite Design Store products as she prepares to celebrate the New Year.


Angel City Nails Set in Gold Chrome Droplet

I usually keep it simple when it comes to my nails, but I’ll go all out for special occasions like Lunar New Year. Toko from Angel City Nails always does incredible work. I love the droplet details on these nails, and the gold is fitting for Lunar New Year, as it is symbolises good luck, wealth, prosperity and good fortune.

Dinosaur Designs Temple Vase in Guava

I’ve always been drawn to Dinosaur Designs’ creations. I really admire how they’ve mastered their craft of working with resin. Their playful mix of form and colour has resulted in such a distinctive aesthetic. This vase is made in one of my favourite shades of pink, and I have the perfect spot for it in my house.

Shocking: The Surreal World of Elsa Schiaparelli book

Elsa Schiaparelli’s imaginative and avant-garde designs inspire me. Despite differing from my minimalist style and approach to design, this book provides a glimpse into her dreamlike world, where her boundary-pushing creations offer me a refreshing perspective.

Ai Wei Wei book

Artist Ai Wei Wei is one of the most important contemporary artists from China. His thought-provoking works fuse art and activism, often offering commentary on social and political issues. I admire and respect his work, so this book would be a great addition to my collection.

Tjanpi Desert Weavers Basket by Rene Nelson (Irene Lewis)

Woven baskets are nostalgic for me, as I remember seeing many of them as a child in my home country, Malaysia. The baskets in Malaysia are typically woven from bamboo and rattan, so I love that this basket, hand-woven by First Nations artists, uses grasses that are native to Australia.