Mix creativity, memories of childhood and a love for fabrics and you get AV ATELIÊ, a unique shop and business in Macau’s historical centre.
Step into AV ATELIÊ and you will feel like you’re travelling in time, perhaps back to your childhood in the countryside with colours and shapes that marked your early years. And then, as you start to look at the pieces more closely, you’ll see that the shop is definitely not a nostalgic revival of the past. There’s a very contemporary feeling in the cushions, necklaces, earrings, rings, shades and bags, among other items on display.
SO WHAT IS AV ATELIÊ THEN?
“It’s urban artisanship, adapted to contemporary times,” says Alcina Oliveira, one of the designers and owners of the shop. “We also try to create a Chinese vibe through the fabrics, sometimes with Chinese themes, like the lanterns,” she adds.
The concept also applies to symbols of western origin like the Christmas tree that is beautifully done with pieces of Chinese fabric, and could frankly decorate your house the whole year round.
“We try to blend the two styles but are always inspired by the roots of our past,” observes Alcina. The shop is a work of passion for this designer, but also a business partnership with two friends. Virginia Ferreira launched the project with her (thus the “AV” initials, “A” for Alcina and “V” for Virginia), and Carmo Silva joined them a bit later.
It all started with a funny coincidence.
“I did a doll in cloth and then I met Virginia at a café and she had done a doll as well,” recalls Alcina. “We thought it was funny that the two of us had done the same thing and from then we started to do things at home.” In June 2008 they had the chance to test the reception to their products at St. John’s street party in Taipa. Both Portuguese and Chinese customers liked them a lot. On November 25th of that same year, the shop opened.
Every accessory they do is unique and the result of the work of these three. There’s no other artisan or seamstress involved. They are the proof that it’s never too late to start a business, as long as there’s passion involved. These ladies have adult children and careers in the public administration. But the idea that there was more to life than an office was with them often.
They all come from Portuguese provincial towns, with a strong connection to artisans and craftsmanship, whether it’s embroidery or classic sewing. “We’re inspired by all these peasant roots,” says Carmo. “And we all love colours, maybe it’s exaggerated for our age, but we love it,” adds Alcina, who also draws much of her inspiration from the years she spent in Angola and Mozambique when they were former Portuguese colonies in Africa.
BEGINNERS IN THE PROMISED CREATIVE HUB
To open a store in St. Lazarus district was a bold move, even though money helped the decision. A renovation project of MOP70,000 and a monthly rental of HK$3500 made the project viable to all partners. Plus, there is the proximity to Our Ladies House, a workshop and exhibition centre for the creative industries. The quarter itself is scheduled to undergo a major renovation
Vibrant, Urban Artisans
to attract artists and designers in order to turn it into a local district similar to Beijing’s 798 area (a former factory turned into art galleries) or Shanghai’s Suzhou Creek quarter. There was a political promise made by Edmund Ho in 2009, but the political will to change the neighbourhood hasn’t happened yet.
“The essential thing would be for the government to revitalise this district with cultural activities, and to support an atelier and shops like ours,” stresses Virginia, who feels that otherwise AV ATELIÊ will continue to be one of Macau’s best kept secrets. And that’s not what the partners want.
“If this is a creative arts centre, we are creative, you can see for yourself. If this is not creative, what could it be?” asks Alcina.
The challenge is now visibility for a project that aims to fly even further. They have plans to restore old furniture with original and modern touches. They do it already with clothes forgotten in the wardrobe, revamped with their quirky style. And customers love it.
“This kind of work, so manual and detailed, cannot become international and our production capacity is limited,” says Virginia. “It’s local. And we’re happy with this, as long as the piece has value and people are able to value it.”
YOU’LL FIND AV ATELIÊ IN RUA NOVA DE SÃO LÁZARO, 39A, MACAU. THE SHOP IS OPEN FROM 2:30PM TO 6PM, MONDAY TO SATURDAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 62656069.
