Tem Jal

In 2013 I traveled independently throughout India for six weeks. While in the State of Rajasthan on the border of Pakistan, I spent time in the Thar Desert traveling between nomadic gypsy enclaves.  There I developed a deep respect for the intricate embroidery and textile traditions of this region. With the support of grants, I founded Tem Jal, an accessories collaboration between myself and the artisans I met during my travels. I chose to partner with an NGO to use a portion of our profit towards tackling the root causes that continue to keep tribal women in India uneducated, exploited, and vulnerable.

Product Design

The design process began with meticulously sourcing precious antique and vintage handmade textiles and jewelry pieces from many different tribes in Gujarat, Rajasthan, the border of Pakistan, and parts of Afghanistan. The materials were then brought to the city of Jaipur where they were made into my handbag designs. This handmade process allowed me the pleasure of personally working with the artisans.  

Web Design

My roles in this project were varied and included not only the creative direction, design and development of the collection, but also the web design of TemJal.com.