Bunny parents, top up the Timothy hay and remember to serve your rabbit bananas (well, just a tiny bit). Let’s hop onto the next five bunny-inspired businesses.
Read Part 1 of the article here.
6. BELLA by emma, by Emily Chuen & Magdalene Kong
Individually handcrafted from scratch, BELLA by Emma’s fashion accessories carry that special bespoke flair. The founder, “Emma”, represents talented ladies Emily and Magdalene. From procuring materials, fulfilling customer orders (by hand!) to photoshoots and marketing, the dynamic two-person team handles it all.
As a student, Magdalene was already making bags on her sewing machine. Later in life, they gained further skills while working as part-timers in a local leather shop. Their eventual usage of vegan leather was inspired by none other than their bunnies, Ash and Marshmallow. Further proof? Spot the brand’s exquisite, gold-toned bunny logo.
“Bella” means “beautiful” in French. True to their purpose, BELLA’s designs bring a fun, timeless and charming look to any outfit. “We want our products to bring confidence and remind people that they are simply beautiful and unique as they are,” Emily and Magdalene share.
Although real leather is traditionally seen as more superior, quality-wise, but Emily and Magdalene are determined that animals should not be sacrificed for the needs and wants of humans.
“We are always actively sourcing and testing out vegan leather and hardware from long-standing suppliers,” they emphasized. “[We] make sure that the leather and materials we use are of high quality and durable for daily usage.” Indeed, in this modern time and age, it’s high time we embrace the kinder alternative.
Last April, BELLA partnered with House Rabbit Society Singapore, donating up to 40% of sales proceeds in that month. (Every year, the month of April sees high bunny abandonment cases due to Easter Day.)
Emily and Magdalene hope to grow BELLA into a full fashion and lifestyle brand, providing greater variety and customized products for customers. As bunny lovers, they’re excited to contribute more towards animal welfare along the journey.
7. Rabbit Treasures, by Kristi DeVentura
Chew, dig, chill. Cardboard boxes are a bunny’s tunnel wonderland. Rabbit Treasures’s premium cardboard houses make the cutest miniature town for your rabbit — complete with “Café, Park and Cabin” — right in your living room.
A long time ago, Kristi thought rabbits “lived in a hutch and didn’t really do anything”. But a handsome spotted bunny changed just that when he came into their family. Once Kristi realized how she would rearrange her schedule to avoid disrupting Bunny’s routine, it was the moment she knew she “would do anything for this little guy”.
“From the time we brought him home to now (8 years later), he has been a pure joy. He has endless love to give and helps me through some of the toughest times,” Kristi says. “He is the perfect addition to our family.”
Kristi often bought shipping boxes and made them into fun houses for Bunny. Soon, she decided to share the joy with other bunny lovers, too.
The house set took two years of work behind-the-scenes. “The biggest challenge I faced was finding a supplier to make them. Once I found a supplier, I had to have cutting and printing dies made.” Kristi adds that heavier cardboard is used to ensure the houses were sturdy for international bunny usage (and destruction).
“I love receiving pictures of their babies enjoying and relaxing in my creation,” Kristi expresses. “It brings real joy to my day.”
Besides the original cardboard house set, Rabbit Treasures also sells a small range of adorable bunny-themed accessories. Rabbit Treasures goes on to donate a portion of proceeds to bunny rescue, Rabbit Wranglers.
8. The Well Kept Rabbit, by Anna Ehredt
The Well Kept Rabbit offers a holistic blend of wellness herbs. Each wholesome package of flavorful goodness focuses on common bunny health issues, such as digestive, molting and arthritis problems. Herbs are organic and sustainably sourced from ethical suppliers.
“My initial research began with creating an organizational chart of what each herb is traditionally used for,” Anna says. While highly experienced as a House Rabbit Society Educator, she also reached out to Lucile Moore — author of Rabbit Nutrition and Healing — in the early days for expert knowledge.
“I wanted to make sure I wasn’t just creating treats that aesthetically looked appealing,” Anna explains. Rabbits forage by nature, so the products consist of a variety of flowers, barks and grasses. Other than the six “holistic health” support line, The Well Kept Rabbit also offers bite-sized bunny nibbles and extends the blends to a Poppers treat series.
Through TWKR, Anna recalls the amazing experiences she had with bunny owners. “One that always stuck out to me,” she recalls, “is a message from a customer: My girl has only a few things that excite her left, as she is disabled and blind. Those poppers give her so much joy!” Several TWKR products are even named after beloved furry customers who crossed the Bridge.
At home, Anna cares for 4 adopted fellows: Buster the love-bug, Jiggy the sassy teenager girl, Delilah the foodie and Symphony the troublemaker. But she always remembers her first bunny, Jujube, fondly. That one black, store-bought bunny who started her journey into bunny welfare.
Note: Originally under The Well Kept Rabbit, the Hop n’ Flop bed now has its own exclusive Etsy store. Made for bunny flopping comfort, many bunny owners also find that the supportive beds assists head tilt bunnies with balance issues.
9. Friend Rabbit, by Bunnico Cheng
Friend Rabbit is a cozy, quaint café based in Taiwan. Founder Bunnico is a photographer who combines her love for rabbits with art, seeking to showcase the beauty of lagomorphs. Besides framed portraits, her work extends into the form of postcards, calendars and photography books.
Bunnico shares her life with two bunnies, Lusa (露莎) and U Bao (U宝). “Lusa is independent, yet a little introverted and shy. She’s like my guardian angel, quietly watching me as I go about my work,” Bunnico describes. In contrast, U Bao is the outgoing one. “He always charms people and approaches them on his own. He’s a helping hand when it comes to serving customers.”
Functioning as a café, light drinks and snacks are a must, but the shop sells potted plants and handpicked pre-loved books as well, adding a tasteful quality that draws in people from different walks of life into appreciating the wonder of rabbits.
However, Bunnico’s main focus lies in her photography work. Customers can book a photography session for their rabbits. The cafe’s garden serves as the perfect backdrop.
Bunnico remembers a conversation with a customer in the garden, where the topic gradually turned to life and one’s final departure. The customer’s bunny was exploring the garden’s greenery, but decided to hop over to the humans and settled with them, long ears calm yet attentive.
“How [the bunny] responded really made me feel that rabbits are incredibly perceptive and intuitive. They’re just so open and accepting of the things around them, and of us,” Bunnico says. A passionate lover of animals and art, she also plans to publish an independent magazine in the future.
10. Chez Lapin, by Claire Landuyt
Chez Lapin sprouted from founder Claire’s love of French culture and – who else? – rabbits. After years of battling skin issues and suffering at the hands of harsh commercial products, Claire decided to craft her own natural skincare products. Plus the loveliest candle collections, too.
For Chez Lapin, Claire uses safe and gentle ingredients such as floral waters, clays and essentials oils. Completed with the logo of a candle-bearing bunny, the brand’s beautiful earth-toned products evoke the air of fresh blooms and classic Parisian streets.
“I keep the idea of simplicity in mind. I travel and wander as often as I can, all over the world, seeking inspiration from the natural elements.” It works; customers come back to Chez Lapin again and again, sharing how her products have changed their spirit, wellness and life for the better.
Animals have had a huge role in Claire’s life. As a strong advocate of cruelty-free production, she tests her products on herself, family and friends. Her bunny, Coriander, is a foster-turned-permanent-resident and alpha to the family’s Labrador, Millie.
“Without my love for animals and rabbits, I don’t believe that my enthusiasm would have carried me this far,” she reflects. Committed to the healing elements nature offers, animal welfare and environmental causes, the reward is knowing that the values she holds close to her heart are translated into her creations and contributed to the world at large.
Chez Lapin contributes a portion of sales to animal rescues such as Rabbit Wranglers, where Coriander is an alumnus. Claire shares photos and details of the animals helped with Chez Lapin’s monthly contributions on her business’s blog.
Special thanks to all the incredible business owners for sharing the heartfelt stories behind their work. Drop by their social media and show them (and their awesome bunnies) your love.
Psst … Read Part 1 yet? Check out the first five bunny-inspired businesses here.
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