COLLABORATIONS
Madalena Telo
During a visit to Portugal, I discovered the amazing creations of ceramicist Madalena Telo. I instantly fell in love with her work and am very fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with her to create exclusively for Vui Vui a collection of unique handmade ceramic soap dishes.
Madalena lives and works in Monchique, Portugal. Both her parents are artists and she grew up surrounded by nature and beautiful surroundings. These influences show in her ethereal art pieces. Her raw materials are sourced locally, and she frequently uses found nature pieces as tools to create patterns and to bring texture to her art pieces.
We are so excited to showcase our bespoke handmade ceramic soap dishes made exclusively for Vui Vui by Madalena.
MADALENA TELO
Inspired By Ocean
mayuka Jayasekera
We love natural wood and have long been searching for a stylish wooden soap dish to complement Vui Vui's soap range. Our search has led us to the wonderfully talented Mayuka of Goat Lab Furniture who handcrafts wood into beautiful custom-made pieces, exquisite cabinets and furniture.
Originally from London, Mayuka is based in France and all his pieces are made from locally and sustainably sourced wood. Importantly, wherever possible he works with reclaimed wood and gives it a new life and purpose.
We are so excited to showcase our bespoke handmade wooden soap dishes made exclusively for Vui Vui by Mayuka.
OAK
CHERRy
WALNUT
Takao Waku
The Ancient Yakusugi Forests of Japan
“Yaku” refers to the island of Yakushima, located in south-west Japan. “Sugi” means Japanese cedar, although it actually belongs to the cypress family.
Indigenous to Japan, sugi grows in abundance throughout the country including on Yakushima island where due to the island’s geographical position the high rainfall and low soil nutrition have forced the trees to grow incredibly slowly. As a result, they build up high amounts of resin. Yakushima island also has many waterfalls, and with giant tree trunks and a forest floor covered entirely in green moss, Yakusugi forest is ethereal, mystical and fairy-tale like.
Yakusugi grows very slowly and these unique trees can live for up to 2,000 years. Yakusugi wood is considered precious and sacred in Japanese culture and the wood is said to be synonymous with longevity. Logging has been prohibited since 2001 and only wood from fallen trees, for example as a result of typhoons, can be taken from the forest, and only pre-2001 wood blocks cut over the preceding several hundred years are available for purchase. This rareness makes it very collectible and highly priced. Yakusugi wood is known for its fragrance, lustrous colour and soft, pliable texture. Its aroma is grounding, soothing, calming and dreamy and will transport you to an ancient cedar forest.
Yakusugi Acupressure MASSAGE Tool
Vui Vui is honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with Takao Wako and to share with you these unique, precious and rare Yakusugi Acupressure Massage Tools. Each tool has been skilfully and beautifully handcrafted in Japan by Takao who has ethically and sustainably sourced the rare wood block over many years from official sources on Yakushima Island.
Yakusugi wood has an ethereal earthy and woody aroma with a sweet undertone. It is very resinous with natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
This Yakusugi wood acupressure tool is suitable for massaging the acupressure points of the head, neck, shoulder, arm and foot and is perfect for relieving aches and pain, relaxing stressed muscles, and relieving tension. All are organic in shape, palm-sized and comfortable to hold. To use, simply firmly apply the corners on pressure points and use the soft curved sides to gently massage different parts of the body.
Each tool is beautiful and unique. You will have a precious piece of Japan’s Garden of Eden in your palm that will bring you joy, peace, and comfort the mind and soul.
ETHEREAL
MYStical
AROMATIC
屋久杉
JAPANESE CEDAR
YAKUSUGI
By Takao Waku