A Trip to India
I can’t believe it’s April. I just returned home to L.A. from India last Friday. Here’s a little rundown of our trip.
WHY INDIA?
We produce close to 50% of our merchandise in Los Angeles—a fact I’m very proud of—but over the 16 years I’ve had the company, we’ve also sourced manufacturers in other countries with different capabilities. Each year, a few members of our team visit our foreign factories, and this time, it was our President, Molly, our SVP of Product Development & Production, Brenda, and me. The purpose of these trips is to meet with our manufacturing partners to talk business, see their work up close, learn from each other, and find new ways to collaborate. They’re incredibly talented, and watching them bring designs to life in real time always reminds me how much I love this process.
OUR SCHEDULE
We left L.A. on Thursday afternoon and arrived in India early Saturday morning at 3 a.m. I read Early Thirties by Josh Duboff on the plane (the book I mentioned in my last Substack—it was a great read. When I came back, I gave it to my niece, Sophie, who is actually in her early thirties :) ). After a quick sleep at the hotel, we were picked up at 10 a.m. to start working.
Mornings started with long, traffic-filled drives to the factories—not so different from home in L.A. JK—very different. After being in that traffic, I think we don’t know traffic in L.A.—and that is saying something. All the trucks don’t have “Blow Horn” on the back of them for nothing. I amused myself by taking photos of hand-painted signs and vehicles (some favorites pictured below). Once we arrived, we’d settle into their showroom with masala tea (SO good) and cookies, talking business and looking at samples of their techniques. I’d flag things I loved, and they’d send swatches and samples back to our studio (some have already arrived here!). Then we’d tour the facilities and usually end with lunch or dinner with their team.
Molly, Brenda, and I would end each day with an evening drink at the rooftop bar of our hotel, Oberoi, New Delhi. A delightful way to end the long day.
SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE
A moment that stuck with me: We were sitting in the showroom discussing business with their team (I was listening, of course, but also sketching bag designs—as I often do). Someone from their team glanced over at my sketch and said, “We can make that for you right now.” No measurements, no technical packs—just a sketch. Amazing.
It reminded me of our early days, when I’d sketch an idea and make it myself or take it to a factory and watch it come to life on the spot. That kind of instant understanding—communicating a vision with just a few adjectives and having them immediately get it—felt so special. I traveled across the world, yet it felt so clear that we spoke the same language.
IMPORTANCE OF FACE TO FACE
The factory partners have been doing this for so long (some for over 40 years) that they really understand what you need and how to do it. These visits educate us and expose us to new techniques and processes, sparking fresh ideas. On the flip side, we have the opportunity to share more about our current collection and where we’re moving, so we can better align on our vision and goals.
We were sitting in the showroom, feeling different leathers together, saying,“We like this—a soft, light, malleable touch,” versus something more stiff and structured. Being able to communicate that in real time, hands-on, makes such a difference. So much can get lost in international communication when you’re trying to explain a feeling.
And one of my favorite parts that comes from visiting our partners in person is discovering new techniques. For example, walking down a passageway at one of the factories, I came across a craftsman buffing a beautiful, naturally dyed, checker-woven leather by hand with what looked like a wooden rolling pin. I watched as it developed a gorgeous sheen in real time.
THE PEOPLE
The biggest highlight was meeting the factory owners. Their warmth and wisdom made them feel like old friends.
There was a moment I stood in the factory, observing the whole team working on our bags. There were two really long tables in this huge room of unbelievably skilled people, all applying their talents to this company that started as a dream—taking an idea and bringing it to life with such care and perfection. I was blown away.
We did this.
Taking it all in, I thought, I wish my parents could see this.
This trip left me feeling overwhelmingly grateful to everyone who has been part of this dream.
This post was was written before Wednesday, 4/2, when Trump announced his new tariffs. I want to acknowledge that this is an incredibly complex and challenging time to work in fashion, especially for those who have built strong, longstanding relationships with overseas partners. We deeply empathize with our fellow industry members and all those affected by these unprecedented times.
This was such a beautiful and honest read. Thank you very much for sharing this experience with us.
It's a big pleasure to get you among us... Lots of love..