Background

Honouring artefacts and ceremonies from the last imperial dynasty, MAHŌ Sensory Candles blend artistic influence with ancient design. Igniting a journey across the five senses, MAHŌ celebrates Australian craftsmanship with four traditional Gaiwan vessels reimagined by leading Melbourne-based artists. Distinct in their shape and story, Surreal Flower, Evergreen, Kawaii Kids, and Happy Hour encapsulate each artists’ voice and style, sparking a luxurious escape through scent and design.

The Gaiwan

Brewing sensual aromas of green, white, and oolong tea, the Ming Dynasty Gaiwan is delicate yet functional in its structure and design. Reflective of the ancient practice of savouring steeped tea leaves from the concave Gaiwan lid, scent enthusiasts are invited to enjoy the fragrance of each MAHŌ Sensory Candle before igniting the aromas. Each vessel has been designed to be repurposed as a collectable statement piece or part of a modern teaware collection once burning is complete.

Design

For centuries, candles have been used as the light in the darkness of life and illuminating one’s spirituality through healing, purification and cleansing. MAHŌ introduces a candle series featuring the GAIWAN tea vessel and four unique fragrances now unlocked for the very first time.

BrandWorks, in collaboration with lifestyle brand, MAHŌ SENSORY and founder, Joshua Tong, introduces its luxury SENSORY CANDLE series, featuring emerging Melbourne artists in the creation of its brand identity to packaging design.

The Gaiwan Candle Series

Surreal Flower

Inspired by the music festival Woodstock in 1969, at the height of the flower power movement, the 3-day festival brought together artists and people to celebrate and inspire each other to 'give peace a chance.' Artist Lukas Kasper applies his distinctive street art illustration style for a psychedelic-infused antidote to being free to express yourself.

Blending reality with abstract design, Surreal Flower pays homage to a place of gritty earth, soul, and flower power. Grounding delicate tiaré with tobacco and bitter orange, this sweet escape of ecstatic dreaming and hazy nights is smoothed with caramel and sweet vanilla. Soft, earthy, and surreal, Woodstock’ 69 drives creativity and a free state of mind.

Top notes: tuberose, Tiaré flowers, lily

Mid notes: caramel, vanilla, orchid, patchouli

Base notes: berries, bitter orange, tobacco

Happy Hour

Set in the period of Art Deco in New York, the golden age of American architecture, skyscrapers and grand hotels provide a striking and visual backdrop to a time of pure elegance and avant-garde style. From the moment you’ve arrived at the hotel dressed up to the nines with a Tom Collins in hand, BrandWorks honours the memory with geometric cues and glints of gold for a striking ode to the times. With striking patterns, elegance, and plenty of grandeur, this MAHŌ moment captures the period when the curious come out to play.

Top notes: Gin, jumpier berries

Mid notes: Lime, coriander

Base notes: Water notes, sandalwood

Evergreen

Reminiscent of a Spring garden and the smell of freshly cut grass, MAHŌ’s moment in time conjures the feeling of a lazy Sunday out in the garden with the fragrant florals in the air. Artist and illustrator, Nani Puspasari, beautifully prescribes her “Evergreen” floral statement in accordance with her whimsical and free-form style.

Dotted with rosemary and splashes of the pear tree and rose, Evergreen ignites nostalgic childhood memories, crisp weekend mornings, and balmy summer days. Reminiscent of backyard garden strolls, Evergreen guides you down a walkthrough fresh-cut grass and invigorating herbs waving through the breeze on an easy Sunday morning. Alive, vibrant, and full of earthy delight, Evergreen embodies nature, indoors.

Top notes: Grass, apples

Mid notes: Rose, pear

Base notes: Rosemary, magnolia

Kawaii Kids

Saccharine and sugary pop-infused, Kawaii Kids, is an ode to the sweet smell of bakehouses in downtown Tokyo. Cute, colourful and the promise of innocence, artist Tim Stana overlays his comic expression of Kawaii youth on the GAIWAN, elevating the street vibe of Shibuya and Harajuku.

Celebrating the breaded, soft, and sweet, Kawaii Kids brings together the saccharine scent of childhood bakeries on a playful afternoon in the Tokyo streets. Lifting notes of freshly baked bread, sweet rice, milky bubble tea, mixed spices and tapioca bring comfort and cravings to this dreamlike midday delight.

Top notes: Sweetbread, jasmine rice

Mid notes: Bubble tea, tapioca

Base notes: Spices, sandalwood

Design team: 

• Michael Tan - Brand & Strategy

• Miranty Annisareta - Creative Lead of Design

• Lan Lan - Studio Account manager

Artist-in-collaboration:

• Nani Puspasari

• Lukas Kasper

• Tim Stana

• BrandWorks

Photographer

• Meagan Harding

ABOUT BRANDWORKS

BrandWorks are a multi-disciplinary team committed to developing strategic design solutions for FMCGs, Hospitality, Commercial Property, Digital Online brands and Fit-for-Purpose Retail Destinations. We have offices in Melbourne, Newcastle, Jakarta and Changsha, China. What makes us stand out from the crowd is that we’ve been there. From business management to ownership to operation, our experiences with and love for great design guides our process. We believe that our clients’ success supports us and vice versa. So together, we’re building a global business community curated for success with innovative and intelligent design.

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