bholu

it's not often you are truly impressed with a new company. once in a while you'll see some that make cool stuff, sometimes they'll have a special philosophy, but bholu seems to have it all. the company was started by australian designer jodie fried who designs all the products herself, but she employs ladies from the western gujarat region in india to hand embroider them. not for cheap labor, but to support these women so they can gain (financial) independence. what is also quite cool is that the children's products were made with drawings gujarati children made. cute idea to begin with, but even more when you realise that these kids would normally be working and have little time for things like drawing. the result is beautiful things made out of wool felt and silk embroidery that have a soul. it doesn't get much better than that!