Art director George Wu and illustrator Malika Favre have transformed their popular Instagram account "I Can't Afford This But Maybe She Can" into a comprehensive online marketplace called the Bazaar. After five years of curating beautiful design objects on social media, the creative duo has launched a permanent digital directory featuring over 300 handpicked items from more than 90 independent brands and makers.

The Instagram account, which started as a fun side project between two friends in 2020, has grown into one of the platform's most beloved design communities. With over 324,000 followers and 20 million organic monthly views, the account showcases everything from homeware and fashion to art, tech, games, and unique collectibles. The success of their social media presence naturally led to the creation of a more permanent solution for their curated finds.

"An Instagram post lasts 24 hours. We believe these beauties deserve a permanent home. So we quietly built them one," Wu and Favre explained. The Bazaar serves as both a celebration of design and a thoughtful response to the temporary nature of social media content. The platform reflects what the duo playfully describes as "the long-distance shopping list of a wannabe millionaire and a would-be millionaire."

The development process was deeply personal and community-driven. Earlier this year, the pair surveyed their followers and received feedback from 84 respondents who expressed interest in an online shop. This overwhelming response set the project in motion. Over the following six months, Wu and Favre personally reached out to every brand and maker, carefully explaining their concept, handpicking specific products, and establishing custom affiliate partnerships.

The Bazaar features an impressive range of brands, from established names like Bitossi Ceramiche, Gestalten Books, Mira Mikati, and Donna Wilson to smaller independent creators such as Fundamental Berlin, Maison Balzac, and Nik Bentel Studio. All featured brands are united by their commitment to bold, well-designed, and beautifully crafted work. The curation process was slow and thoughtful, built on genuine care, curiosity, and authentic connections with makers.

The platform operates on a transparent affiliate model that prioritizes fairness and honesty. There are no listing fees, paid placements, or preferential treatment for brands – just honest curation based on Wu and Favre's discerning taste. Each item links directly to the brand's own website, and when a purchase is made through one of their links, the duo earns a small commission at no additional cost to the buyer. This clean system rewards taste and trust while keeping the focus firmly on exceptional design.

True to their independent spirit, Wu and Favre are launching the Bazaar organically without any marketing machine or public relations push behind it. The launch relies solely on their existing community and social media algorithms. They encourage supporters to share the platform with friends, colleagues, and fellow creatives to help spread awareness naturally.

The Bazaar represents just the beginning of this venture's evolution. Wu and Favre plan to continuously develop the platform, adding new discoveries as they find them "in the wild." Interested customers can sign up for their newsletter through the link in their Instagram bio to receive early access to new arrivals and exclusive sales. The project proves that a brilliant idea combined with dedicated hard work can grow into something tangible and lasting, transforming a simple social media experiment into a thriving business that celebrates creativity, beauty, and friendship.