The other day, an exquisite, soft-spoken woman named Gargi walked in to Backtalk. She approached me with a loom-woven bag from her recently launched line Thread & Loom. The piece was intricately embroidered, fitted with industrious leather handles and lined in brightly colored jute. I immediately recognized the quality and thoughtful design invested in her pieces. The label however read "Made in India".
"Unfortunately" I told her, "we don't often carry lines that are constructed outside of the U.S. unless they have a story or are made by the designer."
Gargi graciously replied, "They do have a story. I actually traveled to India and was involved in the production which is performed by Indian craftswomen."
Oh.
"they are paid fair wages for their artistry and all of the line's proceeds go to education for girls in Mumbai's red light district."
OH.
Apparently, I had spoken too soon. Gargi's story reads:
" Thread&Loom was born when Gargi stepped away from her decade long
career in corporate fashion first in New York and then Los Angeles for a
recharging and inspiring journey of six months. Volunteering as a
designer for Awamaki, an NGO based in the Peruvian city of
Ollantaytambo, she was able to take lessons from the indigenous weavers
in their two thousand year old art. A five week stop through the western
coast of Portugal and south-west of Spain and she was back in India,
left to be inspired by the dusty bright camel fairs of the Rajasthan
desert.
It was here that a collaboration with hand-loom weavers, needlework
artists and leather craftsmen resulted in the socially driven brand of
Thread & Loom. We like to play with unexpected ways of using
traditional crafts and techniques."
Thus, Thread & Loom is a very new line with a very big heart. Luckily, the beautiful story of craftswomanship, empowerment and love is literally woven in to each piece. Backtalk is now a proud stockist of the Flea Carry-all and Festival Cross Body designs.
Gargi's line represents so many of the qualities Backtalk strives for in our shop's designs: ethics, quality, craftswomanship, and a powerful story.
Did I mention that these are also ideal spring and summer bags? Roomy and comfortable these travel well via bike ride, marketplace or beach.
We are pleased to welcome Gargi and her designs to our space. <3
