In pursuit of happiness
Poppylab offers colourful, unique, simple yet elegant hand-made earrings
SINCE she was young, Jillian Tan has always wanted to make her own jewellery. “I often found myself looking for [specific styles of] necklaces, bags or earrings, but I was unable to get [them] here in Malaysia. So, I resorted to making them myself,” said Tan, who holds a degree in Business and Marketing Management.
Eventually, Tan left her corporate job at a market research company to become an accessories and jewellery designer, and launched Poppylab in 2014, selling earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, bags and clutches.
“I quit my corporate job because I wanted to pursue happiness, I wanted to do what I love and do good, whenever possible,” said Tan.
“I remember the day, I was sitting in a cafe in Sydney. I thought: ‘I have to start a business. I really have to do it.’ I remember looking at a sign with the word ‘happy,’ and thought of what makes me happy, and the poppy flower came to mind.
“Poppy flowers are so bright and cheerful to me and they always make me happy, which is why I chose the flower for the brand.
“The Poppylab brand is all about quality, unique, colourful merchandise with a touch of island life added to the mix.”
Island life and surf culture have always attracted Taiping-born Tan. “I always loved the beach and the sea. It makes me happy and in fact, it makes most people happy,” said the 33year-old, who models her earrings on her brand’s website.
“Everything about the lifestyle, the way of life, art and design is so beautiful to me, from the choice of colours, and sometimes, even the traditional or cultural elements. I really admire islanders. Their sense of identity is so strong, grounded and hardly swayed by outside influences and they remain connected with nature,” she said.
She draws inspiration from places she has visited in Bali, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi and even Kotor, along the coast of Montenegro, and even Bondi Beach. Her love for nature translates into design.
Her earring collection titled Hawaiian Dreams was inspired by Hawaii in the United States, and had a red fern motif, while Evenings in Ipanema was inspired by Ipanema in Brazil, with a Monstera leaf motif.
“The collection design that resonated with me the most is the Taiping Raintree Series (inspired by a hanging raintree in Taiping Lake Garden), as it is the story of my hometown and it is close to my heart.”
Another collection is the Hornbills Series, of which Tan contributed 30% from the sale of each pair of earrings to a non-profit organisation.
Tan even named one of her collections after places in Malaysia, like Georgetown and Malacca.
Her upcoming collection is called Peranakan Tiles (Streets of Malacca), and there are even batik-themed earrings for the upcoming Hari Raya celebration.
“I want to highlight Malaysia’s pride and joy, such as batik, or Peranakan tiles,” she said.
Cosmopolitan
She loves the choice of colours used in Peranakan tiles, and she painstakingly handpaints her own colour combinations on the Peranakan tileinspired earrings.
“Most of my earrings are one-of-a-kindpieces. So, when [customers] buy them, they are truly unique and handmade. The earrings are made from polymer clay, which is lightweight, durable and water-resistant,” said Tan.
T h e earrings come in