A 3-generational legacy, Adelai, Anje & Mari

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Hey there, folks! Let me take you on a heartfelt journey into the beginnings of Ad & Co, a tale that's as touching as it is inspiring. As you have read in our Journey bio it all started in the year 2020, and amidst the whirlwind of the lockdown, our family found ourselves with an abundance of time and a creative spark that knows no bounds. And who am I, you ask? Well, I'm Adelai, and I'm here to share with you the incredible story behind Adelai and company, or as we fondly call it,  Ad& Co

At the heart of our tale lies my mother, the renowned South African artist Mari Vermeulen Breedt. With over 40 years' worth of her breathtaking work carefully preserved in our treasured photographic archive, we felt it was high time to breathe new life into these marvellous creations. But there's more - alongside our creative endeavours, we were also blessed with the presence of our beautiful girl, Anje, who was born with cerebral palsy. Anje embodies laughter, happiness, and pure joy, and as she grows older, we find ourselves drawn into her enchanting world, tapping into her creative spirit.

Inspired by Anje's spirit, Ad & Co set out on a daring design adventure, aiming to infuse joy and happiness into the lives of our customers through the magic of Annipan's Collections textiles and linens. Our business model, rooted in a three-generational legacy, thrives on creativity, talent, and purpose. Our goal is simple - to use the gifts bestowed upon us by God, to add colour and meaning to Anje's life and, in time, challenge the notion that individuals with disabilities are solely dependents, empowering them to become providers.

The images we use always remain the intellectual property of the talented artist, Mari, with most of the visuals sourced from our personal collection or specially crafted to embody our vision. My adoration for my mother's work takes centre stage in the story of Ad & Co. Not only is she my beloved mother and Anje's grandmother, but she's also an accomplished South African painter and sculptor, renowned for exhibiting her masterpieces both locally and internationally.

"I exhibited constantly at The New Masters and the NativeVisions galleries in Florida, USA, and various South African galleries, such as the Sasol Art Museum in Stellenbosch," explains Marie. Her paintings and sculptures are cherished treasures in private and corporate collections across South Africa, Britain, Europe, and America. With a firm impressionist style, her figurative art pieces are often inspired by the landscapes, people, and events that grace her life, radiating a luminous, balanced, and profoundly meaningful narrative.

For her, art serves as a conduit for showcasing the union between life and peace, and this delicate balance finds expression through the production of household items that celebrate this very theme. Drawing inspiration from her daily experiences, she delicately transfers these moments onto canvas, where they are then lovingly photographed, digitally reworked, and finally brought to life through reproduction.

We started small, initially dreaming of printing fabric for upholstering antique furniture. However, as fate would have it, this dream soon blossomed into something far more remarkable. Today, we proudly craft an array of bespoke items, from snug blankets to elegant table linens and chic bags, with each design narrating its own extraordinary story courtesy of the talented artist, Mari.

And so, my dear readers, that's just the beginning of the heartwarming tale that is Ad & Co. Join us as we continue to unravel the enchanting chapters that await.