Three years ago, during a trip to Japan, Madam Vasanthi Thambiya was completely mesmerised by tourists in kimonos (Japan’s traditional national dress) taking photographs.
Although it was a simple vacation experience, she recognised it as an exceptional opportunity for visitors to truly appreciate a country’s culture.
“I wondered why we couldn’t do this in Singapore,” the 64-year-old recalled.
Following extensive discussions with her family, Mdm Vasanthi brought that vision to life by launching Ananya Atelier in May 2026.
Located on Pagoda Street in Chinatown, the cosy boutique offers traditional Indian attire and accessories for both men and women. Visiting tourists can rent these outfits starting from S$25 per hour and capture memories at a quaint setup arranged right outside the shop.
Since she considers it a true family venture, her husband Ponnusamy Kundan, 67, and her daughters join her in managing the shop from time to time.
Mdm Vasanthi noted that, while the affordable rent was a factor, the heavy tourist footfall in Chinatown was the primary reason she chose this vibrant location. She also highlighted that being situated near the historic Sri Mariamman Temple is an added advantage.
“We want to offer tourists the convenience of easily renting the outfits they want, removing the need for them to purchase traditional clothing solely to enter the temple,” Mdm Vasanthi explained.
Much like the popular cultural experiences found in countries like Japan and South Korea, this initiative gives visitors a wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in Singapore’s rich Indian culture while taking beautiful photographs, she added.
However, introducing this concept has brought its own unique challenges.
Because renting outfits purely for a cultural experience is still a relatively unfamiliar concept in Singapore, some people, including locals, often mistake Ananya Atelier for a retail store that sells only traditional garments, Mdm Vasanthi said.
Given that the business is still new, she shared that there are no major expansion plans on the horizon. Instead, her focus remains on a deeper, more meaningful goal.
“I ultimately hope that the public will recognise and support this clothing rental concept as a wonderful way to keep heritage alive and share the knowledge of Indian culture with other communities,” she noted.
