studio; nüwa mano, our time in India
Nüwa Mano began as an idea in Australia. During a chance timing living together for a month, conversations and daily style-offs became the start of Nüwa Mano. One simple conversation settled the deal.
Months of research and development followed, essential steps to starting any business; but the true beginning of Nüwa Mano unfolded in May 2025, in Delhi India.
Starting with Maria Jesus misreading timezones and arriving 24hrs later than expected, this set the tone for the month that followed. A wonderful, at times completely chaotic, all-senses experience that took us to where we stand today.
We started out visiting an incredible artisan group in the north; but at the end of our time there, found ourselves cancelling our next scheduled plan due to conflict in the region (but we'll save those details for a later release). 24hrs later, all plans cancelled, we found ourselves in Bangalore, the South of India. With zero plan, one local friend - shout-out Nisha! - and an open schedule.
After a week (mostly having fun exploring Bangalore) thinking that we'd perhaps hit a wall, we decided to dive off into complete unknown territory. Friends we'd made in Bangalore recommended we try down south in Tamil Nadu, in a remote tribal village called Sittilingi.
After some 8hrs stuck in a mixture of floodwaters and classic heavy Bangalorean traffic, we made the what-was-meant-to-be 4hr journey. Upon our arrival, we were captivated. By the place, by the artisan group's story, their skilled craftsmanship and the assured presence of their founder, Dr. Lalitha Regi.
Dr. Lalitha Regi, known simply to all as 'Ta', was a gynaecologist from Kerala who moved to the valley in 1993 with her husband Dr George Regi. They held the dream of providing health care to those who need it most. Together with the community they developed the Tribal Hospital Intiative, an organic farmers association SOFA, the Porgai Artisans Association, and finally, Vanavil Association.
We were there to meet with both the Porgai Artisans, a Lambadi heritage hand embroidery tribe and Vanavil Association, a grass-roots community development program, training local men and women in the garment manufacturing and tailoring process.
Perhaps it was the 8hrs taxi ride, the overbearing heat, or the long entertaining discussion held by Ta; but it felt like a miraculous dream come true. Here was exactly the group that we had been looking for. The craft, the skill, the community development process. It still gives us so much hope that projects such as these can thrive. Two Associations that value community, heritage, economic stability and wellbeing of their workers.
The decision was made quickly, and we sat overnight with a box of Porgai's embroidery samples on each of our beds, combing through the 100s of stitches in Porgai's archives. By morning, we had a collection and two artisan partnerships.
This, we feel, captures what it's like to work and travel through India. Always unexpected, full body-mind-soul experience and somehow (touch wood) things have a beautiful way of working out. We're proud of the collection development and artisan partnerships we've made. This release marks the first of many to come, more incredible artisan groups, incredible fabrics, stories and more journeys like this.