We’ve been working with our communities for over six years now, and our approach has always been about collaboration. The women we work with are already highly skilled; our role is to give space, design direction, and opportunities for them to expand. For example, in our signature Ikat Handknits, each piece is slightly different because the artisans have the freedom to interpret and create lines as they feel. This way, every knit carries both their individuality and our collective vision.
Beyond making products, we want our artisans to feel empowered. That’s why we also focus on entrepreneurship and training programs.
Through initiatives like The Himalayan Knot Design Project in collaboration with Royal Enfield, we’ve tried to create avenues where they can see their skills in diverse scenarios. The idea is simple: if one of them chooses to start something of her own tomorrow, she should feel confident and capable of doing it.
At MARGN, we see craft not only as handmade but as something that holds deep emotional value. We work to refine it, structure it, and show that hand-making can achieve a level of finesse that machines cannot. Whenever we travel to Kullu, Spiti, or Lahaul or anywhere else in the Himalayas, we try to immerse ourselves in the culture—sharing meals, visiting homes, understanding everyday lives. For us, this exchange is what sustains the relationship and allows craft to remain alive, relevant, and purposeful.
