collections
All products are hand-selected from or designed alongside Nepali artistans and entrepreneurs.
As small of a country as Nepal is, it’s impressively diverse in its landscape and its people. In the south there is sprawling tropical-like flatlands called the terrai, while in the north is the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas. Because of the differences in terrain, it is difficult to travel between the two, and therefore creates a natural separation of people, available resources and requirements. Because of this we will be sharing handmade items in the form of collections by the different regions and cultural backgrounds here in Nepal. Most artisans are using their traditional tools and learnings to make timeless pieces that are practical for today and tomorrow.
The Foothills and Highlands
Located in the center of Nepal, expanding from west to east run in foothills and highlands of the Himalaya. These regions have a large variety of agricultural products and are known for producing goods from the by-products of their crops such as corn husks, rice hulls, and cane. There are also a few varieties of bamboo growing which are often used in basket weaving.
The Alpine
This region lies in the far northwest remote Himalaya bordering the Tibetan plateau. Due to its high elevation villages it is known for its animal husbandry, trade, and utilization of fur in the weaving of rugs, blankets, and coats, to keep warm, but more modern uses of crops such as hemp and cotton are also being woven into goods.
The Valley
In the valley sits the two largest cities in Nepal. The area is known for its historical Newari-style buildings and the production of pottery, sculptures, wood-carving, and ceramics. They say the valley used to be a lake, and when it dried up the fertile clay and sediment left on the bottom has served both artisans and farmers that settled here.
The Lowlands
The tarrai or lowland region is in the south and runs from east to west. It's known for its sprawling flatlands and jungles. This is where grasses such as elephant grass, sea grass, and bamboo (also a grass!) are found, which the locals have used to create useful goods from for centuries.
The City
The largest and capital city, known to be the meeting place of most cultural groups. Many young, creative artisans are using traditional knowledge and tools to make thoughtful, modern textiles from natural materials including cotton, hemp, bamboo, nettle, silk, and leather. Items are naturally dyed, hand-loomed, hand-knitted, hand-sewn, etc.
The Nomads
The last nomads, known as the Kings of the Forest, or in Nepali language, Raute. This group is believed to now only number in the hundreds. They move settlements by season carrying with them all of their possessions. Known to understand the deep intricacies of the natural world, they are expert hunters and gatherers, carvers and makers.