MY STORY

I founded Premaasi Textiles with a mission: to inspire women (you!) with style and purpose, while supporting artisans and their families with a living wage, respect and dignity.

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I sell hand-crafted textile accessories ethically sourced from artisans in India, or support organizations that work with them. Promoting the makers and telling their stories gives meaning to their work. As lovers of style, beauty and all things handmade, I know you will find this meaning.

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Growing up in Mumbai in the 1970s, ready-t0-wear clothing was scarce if available at all. I revelled in Saturday afternoon exhibitions of hand-crafted fabric from crafters all over India. Those afternoons spent with my mother and aunt picking out hand-crafted fabrics to be tailored by hand into one-of-a-kind garments have become fond and special memories today.

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My love for handmade fabrics was born then. They represent so much more than a scarf or a piece of clothing. They represent skill, tradition, heritage, and employment for artisan families.

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The idea for Premaasi Textiles is simple. I want to provide women with unique (and gorgeous!) alternatives to fast fashion products. I know you can tell the difference! In the words of a client, my scarves and necklaces will make you “feel like you’re wearing art, and look and feel terrific”.

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Supporting artisan families, and keeping tradition alive 

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By buying their products and introducing them to new markets, I keep alive the tradition and skill of craftspeople that date back generations and help inspire their children and grandchildren. I help support a living wage for the artisans, especially women, and their families... and bring their stunning work to new markets.  Their products have a uniqueness and quality that mass-manufactured pieces just do not offer. Wherever possible I buy from women and women’s co-operatives, and organisations which demonstrate equality in employment.

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By avoiding expensive gift shows, middlemen and complex supply chains, I can both, keep prices reasonable, and still support artisans, especially women, with a living wage.  I want to give my clients another option: quality hand-crafted products, but without the high prices...“affordable luxury”.

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The 200 million or so artisans in India have a right to a dignified living. Most live below the poverty line. A disaster like Covid-19 can wipe out entire communities, leaving families destitute, as it did during the worst of the epidemic.

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Please read my Sustainability Guidelines here.

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What's in the name, anyway?

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Premaasi is short for "Preeti Maasi". Maasi is "mother's sister" in Hindi. The name Premaasi is inspired by my community, both young and old that warmly call me "Preeti Maasi". In a small way, Premaasi Textiles aims to make the world a better (and more beautiful) place for them.

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Want to “feel like you’re wearing art, and look and feel terrific”? Browse the collection here.