inspired by place
We create objects with stories.
Samantha Colbert is deeply fascinated by the way places shape us. In her early career she managed arts, cultural, and community spaces, designing ways for people to experience belonging, connection, and well-being through third spaces. Her approach to design, blending creativity with community, has been at the heart of everything she’s done, from running a bespoke stationery studio in Hong Kong to crafting her first candles under the brand Rue Colbert in Sydney in 2010.
At Strait Lights, we believe in the transformative power of stories. We are makers who use design to honor the connection and belonging we feel to a place. Our collections of handcrafted home fragrances and lifestyle goods capture the magic of Singapore’s neighborhoods and streetscapes, turning everyday moments into lasting keepsakes.
Blending craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, every piece is a tribute to the city’s rich cultural layers, its architecture, and the details of everyday life. Beyond products, Strait Lights is built with purpose, a business for good, committed to choosing only the best materials, operating with sustainability at the centre, running charity initiatives, and creating opportunities for disadvantaged women in Singapore to thrive.
Our brand is built on the power of community.
At Strait Lights, we believe in the transformative power of stories and the profound connection between scent and place.
Our Scents of Place neighbourhood candles embody this philosophy. To create the scent for each candle, we collaborated with a women who lives in the neighbourhood to explore and define what the neighbourhood means to them.
Each scent has become a sensory narrative, reflecting the culture, experiences, and personal connections that define these women and their lives.
They are more than just scents, they are stories of the places we call home.
THE MAGIC BEHIND THE BRAND
OUR CHOICES REFLECT OUR VALUES
Our hand-poured candles are made with the highest quality ingredients.
We use 100% botanical wax with absolutely no paraffin or other additives. Plant-based waxes are a natural renewable resource and the preferred choice in the journey toward sustainability. They are non-toxic, biodegradable and completely free of animal derived substances.
Our bespoke scents are free from phthalates, parabens and other hazardous chemicals that are commonly found in fragranced candles. We're conscious of what we put in our spaces so have created opulent scents that not only smell good but are safe in your sanctuary.
The minimalist style of our vessels is inspired by Singapore's colonial architecture with white ceramic walls and a black lid. Embracing the power of silence and giving a gentle nod to the stunning breeze blocks still found across the island, our logo is discreetly blind etched into the front of the vessel with the label on the back, allowing you to choose how the candle shares your space.
SINGAPORE INSPIRED CANDLES
SCENTS OF PLACE
