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Daniella // Ajaie Alaie

When powerful women merge. We collaborated with designer Ajaie Alaie for our latest Anowara campaign. 

Ajaie Alaie originally spelled //Ajai Alai// is a sanskrit mantra for being in your power– It means invincible and indestructible.

Ajaie Alaie is all about mindfulness and reminding women to be mindful with their daily thoughts and actions. Each garment has an amulet on the inside of the garment at a specific energy point (a chakra), represented by a design detail, a knot, twist, dart etc...

 

Tell us about Ajaie Alaie. What is the inspiration?
Inspiration changes a lot for me. Sometimes I take a trip and that is where I collect the main inspiration for a collection, sometimes I attend an event, a poetry reading, an artist’s gallery opening, and that sets a tone for something I've been thinking of. Lately I've been getting a lot of inspiration from words. From poetry, catalogues, romantic novels, historical novels, artists biographies, amongst some. I write this down and this becomes the inspiration that embodies the garments. Words are very powerful and I want my garments to say something positive to the wearer. All of this has the connection to the chakra philosophy I implement in the brand.

 

 

What does a day in the life look like for you Daniella?

It varies and that's my most favorite. I'm not good with routines so I change it up a lot. Sometimes I wake up really early, go to yoga, come into the studio at 8am and have some me time– read things, sketch, think, look at fabrics etc..  before the world begins to work at around 10am and I get down to business. Sometimes I sleep in, have my morning coffee on the couch while scrolling through my phone, then walk over to my studio and get straight to work. I love spending time in my studio so I'm there all day working on various things- tech packs, production, fittings, fulfilling online orders, taking pictures and such and when night starts to come and everyone has left I feel I can relax again so I pour a glass of rose, or red and begin some more me time where I do all the above me time activities. Not always but once in a while. Sometimes I get this really good impulse and I go to the gym religiously at 6pm for weeks in a row.  When I get home, I like to cook with my husband and unwind together while watching animal documentaries, or Spanish shows on Netflix (my guilty pleasure!). When I feel stuck and my creative juices are not flowing I read only. I skip the tv and submerge in a good book. It's magical how it gets me back on track.

  

Ajaie Alaie is a Sanskrit phrase. How did you know this was the perfect name for your brand and what is your connection to India?

The original word is Ajai Alai and it means the power within, invincible.  When I started the brand I knew what I wanted to do, but I was having a hard time finding a name fitting for the philosophy but also that sounded good and attractive. One day while working on some patterns I was listening to this mantra and when I hit pause I saw the name of the mantra. It sounded beautiful to me so I googled the meaning and I couldn't believe how perfect it was. It just seemed so fitting with what I wanted to do. Basically, every time you would say Ajaie Alaie you would be telling yourself you are invincible because of your power within. I loved it. My connection to India is through my husband. He is from there and I go there twice a year. I feel one-third Indian by now and when I go to India I feel like home.

 


What are your favorite piece in the latest Ajaie Alaie collection? What are your favorite pieces in our latest collection for Haati Chai? 
My favorite pieces from Fall 17 have to be the Bonita Skirt and the Siempre Marzo Skirt. My favorite pieces from Haati Chai have to be the Anna Coin Pendant Necklace and the Bihar Signet Ring.


What is next for the brand?
I have so many projects in mind that so much is next. It's very, very exciting!

Is there something you would like to share about yourself or your brand that we did not ask? If so what? Any tips for aspiring designers looking to start a clothing brand?
Be true to yourself and believe. It may seem hard to know what yourself really is in this overly saturated industry, but if you are a designer at heart you already have a vision, follow that vision, you have no idea where it will get you.






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Get the Look: Winning Wardrobe Combination

 

View the official blog post here to see Stella's Summer favorites

 

 

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Joya Mukerjee Logue // Haati Chai Muse


Haati Chai Muse: Joya Logue 
 

 

Joya Logue is an artist currently based in the United States. Her watercolor paintings share a warm story of her own heritage, home and cultural identity. We catch up with Joya about her memories of India, the meaning of heirlooms and her own sentimental lure towards simplicity. 

 

 I’m Joya :) 

 I’m an artist, predominantly in a watercolor practice, drawing inspiration from my mixed culture heritage. My dad is from India, my mom American, and I was born and raised in the U.S. Yearly travels to our ancestral home in India, named Rajo Villa, created a visual and memorable connection to my heritage. I am drawn to an earthen palette and a soft, minimal, fluid stroke. I love the beauty in the everyday. My paintings are a reflection of this, and often depict people and places in a simple form that elicit emotion and nostalgia.

 I’m also a mother to three boys, ages 17, 15 and 9. 

 



 

A few years ago, in the beginning of my art journey, I decided to let go of my expectations to paint or create art universally accepted in America. The idea of sharing online had exploded and it felt very natural to go along with the trends and aesthetics. Yet my unique perspective as a Bengali-American woman was left unfulfilled. 

 

My memories of visits to India played like a repeat track of a favorite song; images splashed in front of me, and the taste or smell of something would stop me in my tracks and transport me to a walk in the bazar or to familiar street sounds.


 I surrendered to my strong feelings to paint what was closest to my innermost soul, regardless of the narrowing scope of my subject. I needed to express my mixed heritage, explore my roots, and give a voice to the longing I had for this connection. India is a part of me that has always felt both intimate and far away, and I constantly grasp for its intimacy.

 


In addition to my art, I’ve developed a transformative connection to the sari while on this journey. The women in my family were frequently dressed in saris and shalwar kameez. I grew up admiring these garments on my visits to our family home in India, “Rajo Villa”, and in my home city in Ohio, where we gathered often with friends to celebrate many meals and cultural traditions.

After my grandmother passed away, I was given some of her heirloom handwoven saris, featuring zari embroidery, and a shawl. She wore them beautifully her entire life and in the early years she was a fashion icon, draped in the most elegant Varanasi brocade or silk organza saris. Later, as a mature woman, she wore a classic Bengali cotton sari and white blouse most days, with a shawl wrapped around her. It is the simple cotton sari and wool shawl that are most meaningful to me. They mirror her spirit- classic and beautiful with a quiet strength.


I draw inspiration from this part of my material heritage and have begun to wear a sari here in America, even casually, my favorite being a simple silk or mulmul cotton sari. I experiment with drape and as a result feel more comfortable continuing this tradition. To me, the sari has become more than a physical symbol of beauty.  It is a connection to my history, to strong women, to the hands who craft it and to those who share the same affection.




 

What do you gravitate towards when it comes to jewelry? 
What I love are styles that can be worn over and over. I do gravitate towards simplicity so that may have been interpreted through  my Indian family as not wearing “typical Indian” jewelry often. I also love pieces that pass down through generations, because there is so much meaning and sentimentality in this gesture.

I grew up wearing a set of three simple gold bangles and never took them off. I will one day pass these down to my granddaughter if I have one.

Haati Chai reminds me of everything I do love about jewelry. It’s beautiful and timeless and looks great on my brown skin!

 I love the Khan Chain necklace. I think the simplicity and classic nature of this gold is perfect for my style. I like a mostly neutral wardrobe, (and lots of saris!) and the idea of a necklace going from day to night is very appealing. It has a striking look against my skin tone. I am all for highlighting that !

Additionally I really am loving the Kolkata Ring for the delicate and organic shape.

I’ve been looking for a pair of earrings to wear daily, almost like second skin, so the simple Shona Earrings style is perfect. 

And if I’m splurging, yes aunties listen up, I will be wearing the Maza Earrings with citrine stones. The glow of citrine and gold in a modern shape is so so alluring. 

-Joya

 

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Kanya Iwana // Her Picks

Kanya Iwana 

 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself & where you grew up.
I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. My grandparents are from (and still live) in a way smaller town east of us called Jogjakarta, so every year we’d visit at least once and spend a week or two with her. We also would go to Bali just as frequently to absorb its beauty and rich culture. I confidently say I grew up in all three towns. 

 

Stella realized at a young age that her background was unique. Being Bangladeshi  and American, she constantly felt caught between both her worlds. Jewelry became her medium in which she connected both her worlds (Bangladeshi roots and American culture) at an early age. Your story is very unique. Would you say that your passions became a way to blend all your worlds? If so, tell us how?
Absolutely. I’ve had a very interesting path to finding who I am, and I’m still learning. But so far, I had the major privilege to study in the U.S. in a field in which my dream lies: performance and film. There’s a good chunk of my late teens and early womanhood where all I tried to do was suppress my cultural background in order to assimilate not only to the American culture, but the American Theatre Culture. I got rid of my accent, and tried to be as “actor neutral” as possible. Looking back to that is so weird now because I love my background -- we’re so f*cking cool. As I’m stepping into my own individualism, I’m carefully introducing my culture back into my art in a hopefully thoughtful and respectful way.

 

What does a day in the life look for you?
It’s unpredictable, but lately it’s a pattern of 2 weeks of crazy shooting and 2 weeks of chilling and editing at home. I start my weekdays dropping off my daughter at school and going to the gym (I recommend finding a podcast you love to keep you there -- mine is Binge Mode: Game of Thrones, of course and no shame). I then start running my office hours. However, if I’m shooting, typically morning shoots, I just pound all the coffee I could find and get working. I end every day with cuddling to my family.

 

What came first? Music or photography?
Music for sure!

 

As an artist of different forms what has this journey taught you that you want others to learn as well?
To just try. If it doesn’t work, oh well. At least you tried. I’d rather try and fail than to stop myself out of fear.

 

 

What is your life’s motto?
I don’t really have one, but the first thing that popped into mind is: you’re going to get rejected several times in your life, so might as well make peace with it and go for the things you’re afraid of.

 

What is one of your greatest defining moments within your career?
Not sure if it’s directly related, but having my baby. It pushed me to be more responsible with my career and money.
 
Can you remember one solid piece of advice you've gotten for the growth of your business / work?
My manager always reminds me, “You can’t please everyone.” It’s a tough pill to swallow as a sometimes former people pleaser, but it’s a valuable lesson.

 

 

What are your earliest memories of jewelry in your life?
When I was a kid, my mom and I would always go to this mom-and-pop shop where she’d get custom-made jewelry from rich, colorful rocks. I remember thinking, “That’s so much effort,” but also remember how unique those pieces are. Now I completely understand. 

 

How does jewelry impact you — emotionally, personally or professionally?
It’s very nostalgic to me - I feel this connection with my family whom I have not seen in a while or as frequently as when I was a kid. I also feel a spiritual connection to it within my art. I feel this elevated aura when I wear statement jewelry, like for shoots or shows, like I’m tapped into this alter ego.



 

 

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Relax. I still say that to my present-day self. 

 

Is there something you would like to share about yourself that we did not ask?  
I’d like to talk about my bridging the gap from visuals to music in my career. I’ve struggled with the embarrassment of “switching lanes” or the possibly non-existent “she’s inconsistent” whispers, or the “oh, you do that too?”’s. I’m still learning to be more confident in declaring that yes, in fact, I do all. Because I do. I don’t know how else to operate; this feels like a calling. Everything that I’ve done within my visual production house only serves my music, and vice versa, rather than distract or damage it.

 

With having production experience, I am a better music artist. I take notes and apply through my mistakes and successes when dealing with different projects and clients. One example is, when I am the Talent at a shoot, I know to respect every single person working on set, who have been there probably 2 hours before me and worked weeks before the first shot is even pulled, because I have been those people and have run those sets. I’ve been the person last on the call sheet -- the BTS girl whose name people don’t know. The biggest lesson is to respect people and their time. Another example is to really know who you are as a person and as an artist, because if you don’t, the higher ups will try to control you and change you, and that to me is my biggest fear of all.

 

A little bit about the project that’s involved with this story: I wanted to do covers that are like really good bites of mini cupcakes, or dimsum, if you’re like me. A re-creation that’s bite-size, digestible, but delicious. I want to always pack it with my vision, brilliantly executed by my team of long-time collaborators. I hope to keep doing this cover series for a long time.

 

 

@kanya.msc

 

Photography by Chauntice Green
Makeup by Francesca Martin

Hair by Andrea Samuels

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Kristen Giorgi // Her Picks

Kristen Giorgi of NG Collective

 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am an abstract and figurative artist and momma to an adorable six year old girl.  I have painted most of my life, but professionally for about seven years.

 

Describe a typical day in your life?
A typical day usually starts at 6 am getting my daughter ready for school.  I put her on the bus and go to some type of workout (usually pilates). I come home, make coffee and begin my work day which consists of client meetings (either in studio or visiting potential spaces for installs), painting/working on commissions and answering emails.  My assistant Arianne and I run through the tasks of the day and she is in charge of all things behind the scenes.

 

How do you seek inspiration for your art?
Inspiration usually come with timing of things and is mostly random.  I could be painting on the floor and see two colors that dripped next to each other that are complementary and decide they need to be the next focus of a new piece.  I see most of the world broken down into shapes so I can usually find a good composition anywhere. Even in a pile of stuff. I am also constantly inspired by fashion and my travels.

 

As an artist who has a much larger medium, how important is it to you to create a piece the individual can keep forever?  
It is very important to me that my clients consider pieces they collect from me something they will cherish forever.  Many collectors will say to me, "this is my first REAL piece of art". That always makes me feel so good that my work is perceived as having value at this point in my career.

 

What are your earliest memories of jewelry in your life?
I have amazing memories of jewelry early in my life.  When I was about five years old my great grandmother gave me a jewelry box full of costume jewelry from the 50's, 60's and 70's.  Probably full of pieces I would wear today. I took it everywhere with me and left it at a hotel on a family road trip. I think I have had PTSD ever since because I am a freak about putting my jewelry in a "good place" when and if I take if off at night.

 

What are some of your daily rituals?
I am really into fitness and workout everyday.  It keeps me centered, balanced and ready to tackle challenges.  I'm also really strict about having my coffee first thing when I wake up.  Sometimes I'm excited to go to sleep at night in anticipation of getting to have that cup in the morning.  Spoken like a true caffeine addict. Haha.

 

 

How does jewelry impact you — emotionally, personally or professionally?When I wear jewelry it makes me feel feminine and sexy.  It's that little gleam that adds to your own sparkle and people notice it.  

 

Can you share any pieces of jewelry you own that means something special to you?
I have a ring that I was gifted right after the birth of my daughter.  It's a symbol of the past and reminder of the day this perfect little human came into my world.  I'm going to give it to Vivienne with she turns 18.

 

What has art taught you that you want others to learn from it as well?
Art can be really intimidating to people and cause them to focus on not understanding it. I encourage others to try not to pick it apart. Just let it be. It's going to cause one to have an emotion of some sort and it's ok if its not always positive one. That’s the beauty of it.

 

Is any of your jewelry sentimental or passed down to you? Can you tell me about any pieces of jewelry you own that mean something special to you?
Yes! I have this platinum art deco style dome ring covered in tiny diamonds that was passed down to me from my grandmother.  She was a very fancy, decorated woman. I like to wear it with really casual outfits. It’s a nice balance.

Photography by @carmynrio

 

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Michelle Ranavat // Her Picks

Michelle Ranavat of Ranavat Botanics

 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a 36 year old mom of 2 boys born in a suburb of Wisconsin. Dance and movement have been a huge part of my life from a very young age and they are the first ways I really started to understand and feel close to Indian culture. As far as I can remember, we would spend winter break in India visiting family- and I would make my grandfather climb into their attic to dig up old memorabilia. I think I get my infatuation with history from him.  We would pour over old photographs and trinkets that were a part of my family and those are my first memories of really falling in love with traditions and keepsakes. I think what I love about family history is that you become closer to a community and you feel a sense of inclusion.  Being included is something I didn’t always experience growing up.

 

What does a day in the life look like for you Michelle?

I wake up to my 2 boys coming into my room for hugs and snuggles. I’m not a morning person—so I usually depend on them to get me going! Once we’re up- it’s a mad dash to get them to school. I’m usually helping the nanny get things in order before I start my day and head to a Platefit class around 8:30am.  After my workout – with coffee or tea in hand-- I’m back in my office and super energized to start my day. If I’m visiting retail partners or doing trainings I’m usually away from my computer and spending the day on the ground.  I love these days- they are exhausting but I get such a thrill from seeing people experience my treatments in real-time. If I’m having an office day- I usually have a few calls scheduled, but I spend most of my day working on making new treatments.  It takes such a long time- that I’m working 2019 releases already! I always have 5-6 projects going at a time- so there is always a lot to do there.

After work around 6pm I really try to unplug and only spend time with my family.  These hours are the only time I really have on the weekdays and I do everything I can to make the most of it.  We’re playing games with the kids (double trouble is a current favorite) and then doing our elaborate bedtime routines. Once the kids are asleep- my husband and I spend time catching up- and I usually convince him to do a face mask with me.  Having great skin is clearly important to me, and I just don’t feel like myself if I’m not keeping up with my rituals. Once my husband sleeps around 10pm- a few nights a week I work with India for a few hours before heading off to sleep.  It’s the time where I can speak with my suppliers and make sure projects are on track. Finally around 12am- I’m off to sleep and ready to get the next day started! One of the biggest gifts Ranavat has given me, is a love for life—no Sunday night blues here.

 

What inspired you to start your brand Ranavat Botanics?

I’ve always had a love for taking care of my skin and felt an urgency knowing that it’s the one skin we have for our whole lives.  But if I dig in really deep – it was watching my dad come to the US in the 70s with no help and starting his business in the basement of our home.  When you see someone slowly rise from the ground up you become a believer in the American dream. My dad gave me this confidence that I could do it, because he did—and that is what gave me the strength to start the company.

From a product perspective, I wanted to bring in all the elements I loved about India and the feeling of inclusivity.  Growing up I was so shy to share my culture, but finally now, I’m so proud of what was created in India 5,000 years ago – and am completely energized to share it with the world.  My engineering background really helped me bring this idea of elevated craftsmanship to life, making sure every ingredient is sourced to maintain the maximum vitamins and minerals.

 

What advice would you give to your younger self?
My advice is to try your best to be content in the present moment and not compare.  Comparison is something I’ve had a hard time with, but the sooner you stop focusing on someone else’s timeline and story, the more energy you put towards actually accomplishing your goals.

 

What is your favorite beauty/skin ritual you would like to share with us?

My favorite ritual is masking.  I have found masking to be an incredibly nourishing process for the skin.  When I first learned about Ayurveda I saw how important “face packs” or masking was to their rituals.  As I started experimenting with my own formulas, I started to notice HUGE differences in my skin over time.  I honestly felt like at 35, I finally had the best skin of my life. I was more confident, I loved going without makeup (which is key when you have 2 young kids) and I really felt more energized.

At that point, I really knew these treatments worked, but I also realized that consistency was key. Just like the gym, you can’t go once in a blue moon and think you will have a 6-pack. You have to put in the work and skincare is no exception.  This is why I find ritual to be a major component, we need to make self-care a habit and necessity.

 

What are some of your favorite rituals for self-care?
For me a huge part of self care (aside from skin) is drinking tea! I’m a HUGE tea fan and love exploring different types of teas from around the world.  My favorites are of course our family chai recipe but I also love Jasmine green tea and Darjeeling.

 

What do you hope to achieve with Ranavat Botanics in the next 5 years?
I honestly don’t have any concrete goals.  If I’m able to create new treatments and I can see people fall in love with the line, I will be fulfilled!

 

Any advice for women who are starting their own business?

I would focus on creating the most distinct brand possible.  I think most people get to the phase where they have a good product, but I think more time and energy needs to be spent on the emotional part of connecting with the customer.  Your customer should feel something. They should look at your packaging and your brand and want to be a part of your story. Great imagery, authentic storytelling and a unique point of view really play into all of this.  Take a ton of time and invest in all of the little details- because that is what sets you apart.

How did you first hear about Haati Chai and what are your favorite pieces from the collection?

Meeting Stella and Ali was meant to be because I had heard about them 3 different times in a few months!  First it was through both of us being featured in an article by our retail partners, then it was through a great interview done by Live Tinted, and lastly, Stella and I are both moms and a part of Fashion Mamas. Once we actually met, and I felt an immediate closeness to both Stella and Ali but also the brand. Not cutting corners, craftsmanship, making art, history, tradition, timelessness—all of these ideas tie both of us  together. Then when Stella told me how much she loves tea (I should have known by the name)- I was convinced we shared a similar vision. 

Honestly I can see myself wearing everything from the collection-it's all so curated and well thought through-with a story for every piece. A few of my picks are the Anna Coin Pendant (the story!!), Syed Pearl Signet Ring and the Devi Ring. I love how Stella does her stacks and maybe one of these days I can pull one off ;)

 

Is there something you would like to share about yourself or your brand that we did not ask?
One thing that defines Ranavat is our process- which involves always taking the long road to creating a product. I first focus on each ingredient and using fewest ingredients that will achieve my desired result. Once I select the ingredients, I work on process. Process is so important (almost more than the ingredient!). Extraction method is what ultimately determines the overall efficacy of the treatment- I always go for cold pressed (to maintain all the vitamins and minerals) and steam distillation (no chemical extractions) so that it is a pure and unadulterated botanical. Going the long road means we always bring you the absolute best- a treatment worthy of your skin. For example, for our jasmine oil in Mighty Majesty it takes over 150lbs of fresh flowers to create only 1 oz of the oil.

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Natalie Harris // Her Picks

Natalie Harris of The Tiny Closet

 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I live and work in Los Angeles with my husband and dog-son where I design modern minimalist clothing and I have an online shop for likeminded women. I also blog about my minimalist lifestyle and feature personal style and how to curate a closet you love.

What does a day in the life look like for you Natalie?
As a new small business owner, my days are pretty busy but never the same. Sometimes I wake up early, some days I wake up late. Since I have an online shop as well as a style blog, I am always shooting some type of new product or content.  So we shoot daily, about 3 times a week. I am currently still hand making all of my orders so I sew for about 6 hours a day. Other than that, any day of the week, you'll find me visiting any one of my wholesalers in a warehouse somewhere deep in the garment district, lol.

What inspires you and your brand?
Simplicity, art, beauty and function all as a whole has always been a constant inspiration. Art, in all of its many forms, like a visit to a museum, or flipping through a Vogue magazine. My need for simplicity runs deep in my bones - everything has to be effortless and simple so when designing, I'm always asking myself, 'but can it be simpler?' and also, 'will she feel effortless when she wears this?'

 


Who does all your creative direction and photography? You, we assume? Tell me how you get the perfect IG image?
My photography is all done by my talented husband who is a lifestyle photographer. He even takes my phone pictures. I am terrible at on-the-go selfies and taking photos with my phone - and I have no patience for it! So you'll rarely find an IG photo not taken from an actual camera. We have so many photo shoots for my blog and shop, I have stock photos for days so I use those photos for IG as well.

You have a lot of interaction and feedback from the community you've built around your brand. How does this affect your designs?
I definitely listen to my shoppers and followers on what they like and the types of things they like to wear - like offering more colors even though I don't wear color at all.  I do it for them because I know other women love to wear color. Or designing a sexy dress, even though I wouldn't personally wear it. I know others will enjoy it. But for the most part, I really only design and sell what I like and what resonates with me.  The followers I have are there because of my unique style and aesthetic - my designs are typically not affected by outside opinion or feedback.

 



How important do you feel it is to have a visually cohesive brand?
It's definitely integral to the marketability of your business. If you're brand is not visually cohesive, it can't be a brand. That's like a sports team that plays without uniforms. Who do they represent?

 

 

What  are your favorite pieces from your shop currently or from all time?
My all-time favorite piece is The Tourist tunic! I wear it daily. It's fabulously effortless and goes with everything from jeans to skirts to harem pants. My favorite new piece from my current Spring collection is The Novelist wrap top. It's so elegant and is beginning to be my new go-to top.

What are your favorite pieces in our latest collection for Haati Chai?
I absolutely love the Sai Earrings.  They're go-to daily studs to wear daily but they're also statement pieces, which falls in line with my designs.  My favorite pieces from the Anowara Collection are first, the Maya Earrings - absolutely stunning. They are showstoppers for sure. And I really enjoy wearing the Bihar Signet Ring.  It's handsome, simple and surprisingly makes a statement without being huge.

 


 

Any advice for women who are starting their own business?
Go slowly, start super small and navigate organically - you don't have to have a full plan or have the full vision, just a good work ethic and the ability to adapt with change.  Oh, and get an accountant!!!!

What is next for the brand?
Hiring help. More interestingly though, I've been planning to release a basics line of fine tees, tops and dresses for everyday.  It's actually how I started building my own closet so I want to share that element with my followers.

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Sabrina Claudio

Haati Chai Muse Sabrina Claudio wearing Haati Chai in her latest project "Stand Still"


 
 
 


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Zarna Surti // Her Picks

Zarna Surti of Tonal Journal

 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I'm Zarna Surti, the founder and editor in chief of Tonal Journal—an independent print publication celebrating women of color.

What does a day in the life look like for you Zarna?

I love morning rituals, and starting my day the same way gives me a sense of balance. Things can get crazy after that, but anchoring my day is so special to me. I start my day with a cup of lemon water and a hot cup of black coffee, then I take 30 minutes to listen to music and read. (A few years ago, I realized I needed to make time for reading, I was getting so busy, and I needed to make time for what I loved.) Then, I like to get in a 30-45 minute workout, get ready, and start my day. I also run Tonal Studios, a Los Angeles-based creative studio, so my day can be client meetings, work sessions, or working with my team, or it can be photoshoots, coffee meetings, or writing for Tonal Journal. Every day is so different, and I truly love that.

 

 

 

Where did the idea for Tonal originate from and how did you bring the idea to life?

I came up with the idea for Tonal Journal on an airplane! I had a cocktail napkin and I was scribbling the world “tone” on it, and eventually wrote down the word “tonal.” When I looked up the definition, it said “relating to the tone of music, color, or writing.” Those were my three favorite things, so it felt pretty serendipitous.  

From there, I spoke to Tonal Journal’s art director Esther Choi about it and she was in. We spent two years creating our 288-page magazine/art book hybrid and we’re so incredibly proud of it. It’s here to celebrate women of color and each volume will be based off of a different tone, the first being nude. It’s no nudity, rather, it’s an exploration in skin tones and cultures.

Bringing this idea to life was truly the hardest and most challenging thing I've ever done, but I wanted to get it out into the world. My biggest piece of advice is to pick a project and see it through to the finish—we all start so many projects, but the ones you finish are so incredibly rewarding.

What is one of your greatest defining moments within your industry?
The day tonal came out—April 6, 2018. I will never, ever in my life forget that day. I thought there would be 5 people at our launch party and there was a line before it opened and it was backed the entire night, I couldn't believe it! Seeing people take the book home was like sending out a piece of my heart with everyone who walked out of the door. It was such an emotional moment for me.

Also seeing people respond to it and getting featured in publications I've admired for decades (Business of Fashion, i-D, Coveteur, Refinery29, Essence, etc). It's just wild to me that our little project is being talked about on a global scale—I just hope it translates to women of color feeling more celebrated, feeling more included, and feeling all the love.

 

What advice would you give a career girl looking to advance in her profession?

Work harder (and smarter) than every one else. While you're working your 9-5, don't be afraid to freelance or create your own project you want to work on. This advice is mainly for entrepreneurs, because that's my experience, but start a project and truly see it through. It's such a gratifying process and an incredible learning experience.

Also, reach out to people! You'd be surprised at how many women want to help other women.

Beauty product you can’t leave the house without?
There isn't just one! I'm such a skincare addict—I need to have my hydrating serum, eye cream, and SPF on at the very least, and a touch of concealer around the eyes (I'm prone to dark circles), and a few coats of mascara.

Oh, and tinted lip balm with SPF!

Here's what I like to use:
Serum — Dr. Roebucks Hydrating Serum
Eye Cream — La Mer
SPF — SuperGoop Glow Stick Sunscreen
Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF — Laura Mercier
Concealers — Nars Creamy Concealer
Mascara — Telescopic

Lip Balm w/ SPF — Burts Bees

 

 

Which three Instagram woman do we need to follow? 

@NOOR — We just recorded a podcast together recently and I was blown away by her intelligence, confidence, work, and beauty. She's a true inspiration.

@BABBUTHEPAINTER — I love that she shows the world what it's like to be a modern Indian woman. She mixes old school and new school, and creates this haven for first-generation Indian-Americans that I find so incredibly inspiring.

@VIRGOMOOD  — It's my favorite place for fashion inspiration—they find the best throwback imagery and LEWKS.

We’re all about woman empowerment here at Haati Chai. Which woman has made a significant impact in your life?

My mother and grandmothers—the Indian culture tends to have a very patriarchal structure, and I was lucky to grow up around such inspiring and strong women. My paternal and maternal grandmothers were just such bosses—when I was young, it felt like they both ruled the world, and did it adorned in beautiful saris and gold jewelry every single day. My mother is also so incredibly strong and is the most resilient and brave women I've ever met. She inspires me every single day.

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