Alaska

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

Alaska is located in the arctic circle... and since the start of November, in Elsene/Ixelles too. It’s the name of a new boutique/creative workshop, run by Pascaline Blaton. She’s inventive, loves colours and made her shop into her own, little universe.

It’s nearly impossible to walk passed the Alaska shop window and not stop and stare. Bright colours, funny objects, clothes, books, there’s so much going on. And the story continues on the inside, with a cartoon movie projected on one of the walls, and racks and tables packed with items. Everything is carefully chosen by Pascaline. She browses the internet, visits fairs in London or Berlin, and ends up with quirky iPhone cases with a handle, plexiglass necklaces, coffee cups with a geometric print, and wicked hats. There are some interior deco items as well, such as the metal baskets you could use to store magazines or blankets, cushions with a pattern of course, delicate china jewellery boxes, fluorescent candle holders, and books on art, for children, and even some on cooking. The shop stocks clothes too, with very bold prints of course. Pascaline designs and prints her own T-shirts and sweatshirts, for kids, women, and men. She’s even planning workshops to teach others how to do this as well. The first sessions on “how to paint on textile” and “make jewellery” will be organised in January, for children. Adults looking for advice concerning anything printed can get also get in touch. As part of the creative workshop, Pascaline will help design anything, from your own T-shirts, to business cards, and event invitations. And as if that wasn’t enough, all the displays and furniture in the shop are for sale as well: from the clever stackable wooden crates to the wooden cabin (perfect for kids to hang out, or in a bigger size, for adults too). There’s a little bit of everything at Alaska, but it’s also a whole lot of fun.

ALASKA ●●●
Edelknaapstraat 72 rue du Page, Elsene/Ixelles, www.alaskabrussels.com, di/ma/Tu > za/sa/Sa 11.30 > 18.30