Welcome to a very special holiday edition of the Neythri blog!
As the holiday season descends upon us, we all love finding the perfect gift. This edition features Neythri member favorites, all of which make great holiday gifts. We hope you will enjoy checking out these amazing brands as much as we have enjoyed putting them together, support them this holiday season and avail the discounts* from the brands.
1. Anis Collections
Anis Collections is a custom bridal and groomswear luxury boutique that provides clients with great quality custom-designed clothing, aligning with the client’s vision and their budget. Founder Hani Anis states, “Bridal is our main business. From creating a bride’s dream outfit, to coordinating her groom, family, and bridal party, we love our wedding day clients! What does creating an outfit with me look like? I make it a point to be your best friend in the process, to make sure you get exactly what you want.”
One satisfied Anis Collection customer affirms, “I just wanted to tell you that without question the Sherwani I bought from you was the showstopper of the night. EVERYBODY was blown away. You all killed it! Kendra was speechless when she saw me in the outfit. Thank you so much!”
Use the Neythri special discount code NEYTHRI20 when you shop online on the Anis Collections website www.aniscollections.com
About Anis Collections’ Founder, Hani Anis
Hani Anis is a bridal fashion designer & Founder of Anis Collections. She is also the founder of Kahani Digital Marketing, telling the stories of South Asian owned and founded brands through digital marketing and social media. Hani holds a degree in Finance from Towson University.
2. Brightland
Brightland extra virgin olive oils and vinegars are consciously made in California, and contain nothing more than fruit, love and sunshine. Their olives are carefully sourced from a family-run California farm, then crafted into custom-blended oils. Their fruit-forward vinegars are lovingly made on a nutrient-dense, family-run farm in California’s Central Coast.
Neythri co-founder Sruthi Ramaswamy exclaims, “Who knew that most olive oils we consume are adulterated and not actually produced to be high quality? Enter Brightland – lovingly produced in California with health & flavor in mind, they are to die for! I love cooking with their oils and use them for so many different recipes- stir fries, roasted veggies, salads, dipping with bread, and more – the oils have been the perfect addition to our kitchen. In particular, I’m a huge fan of the garlic & chili oils!”
Shop Brightland’s authentic variety of extra-virgin olive oils, vinegars, and more online on the Brightland website www.brightland.co.
About Brightland’s Founder, Aishwarya Iyer
Brightland’s founder Aishwarya Iyer‘s personal experience inspired the idea for Brightland, which was born out of a desire for time-honored food production – and a deep belief in the land and what it provides. Now she makes traceable, high-quality olive oil she trusts (in beautifully designed, protective powder-coated bottles) — and she wants to share it with the world.
3. Fuchsia
Fuchsia is a direct to consumer fashion brand of artisanal products that sells luxury fashion accessories in a highly transparent way. Their first product is women’s flat shoes. For every product, the company shares the complete journey, beginning from acquiring the raw material until it gets to customer’s hand. In short, that’s what Fuchsia’s sustainable footwear is all about: high-quality, environmentally responsible shoes which genuinely benefit the artisans who make them.
Shop Fuchsia online on the Fuchsia website www.fuchsiashoes.com
About Fuchsia Founder, Afshan Abbas
Afshan Abbas is the CEO and Co Founder at Fuchsia and member of the Board of Advisors at PWIC. She has also worked as Data Engineer at INRIX and at Microsoft as Sr. Business Analyst (BI) where she delivered reporting and analytics for OEM Finance during Windows 7 and Windows 8 launch including real time business insights for executive audience.
4. Hava World
Hava is an LA-based, modern baby collection inspired by Founder Mownika Chawla’s Indian heritage. Hava is about impossibly cozy, infinitely versatile pieces for stylish little ones living in a multicultural world. Hava products are sourced ethically and the company partners with factories and artisans committed to the continued growth of sustainable practices.
Hava customer Maheen, asserts, “The fit and comfort are two things that are amazing about these clothes. Because they are all cotton, it makes washing them a breeze. The kids love to wear them as well and so getting ready is fuss free.”
Use the Neythri special discount code NEYTHRI10 when you shop online on the Hava World website www.havaworld.com
About Hava World’s Founder, Mownika Chawla
Mownika Chawla is Founder and CEO of Hava World, a children’s clothing brand. Hava was inspired by her own childhood and love for experiencing other cultures. Hava makes globally inspired clothing for children, with a mission to inspire curiosity about other cultures so our children embrace a global community. By incorporating traditional Indian designs and patterns with organic cotton and child-friendly fabrics, Hava World is able to produce clothing that kids love to wear and parents love to dress them in!
5. Masala My Life
Masala My Life inspires Americans to celebrate their South Asian connections, recognizing the constant duality and thrilling intersection of cultures. Products range from artisan Indian-inspired chocolates, South Asian inspired jewelry, chai, candle fragrances, and more, all delivered in a Masala My Life gift box.
One Neythri member talks about her mom, Nisreen’s, experience with the product: “My mom LOVES Masala My Life. Anu is able to custom build gifts around any price point. We were able to order favors for my mom’s 50th birthday party which people loved. She also recently ordered christmas gifts for her teachers at school as well.”
Use the Neythri special discount code NEYTHRI10 when you shop online on the Masala My Life website www.masalamylife.com
About MasalaMyLife’s Founder, Anu Mannar
Anu Mannar describes Masala My Life as both an overnight brainstorm and the inevitable result of decades of shopping, living, talking, and thinking about her experience as an Indian-American in the South. She created Masala My Life in early 2019, passionately believing that Americans with connections to South Asia should have ways to showcase their identity.
6. Ministry of Kaapi
The Ministry of Kaapi is a woman-owned, direct-trade, wildlife friendly coffee company that sources, imports, and roasts damn fine Indian coffee. Ministry of Kaapi’s beans are carefully sourced from small, family-owned and operated estates. The coffees are sustainably grown and harvested and wildlife friendly. The coffees are currently sourced and bought from select coffee growers in Karnataka, offering a limited curation with no middlemen. “Kaapi” , a unique style of coffee most similar to a latte is the phonetic rendering of coffee in Southern India.
Use the Neythri special discount code NEYTHRI10 when you shop online on the Ministry of Kaapi website www.ministryofkaapi.com
About Ministry of Kaapi’s Founder, Danée Shows
Danée Shows is the Founder of Ministry of Kaapi. She founded the company in her itty-bitty apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan while searching high and low for authentic Indian coffee and could find none, in all of NYC! She trekked her way across the mud-laden, backroads of India, visiting coffee estates and meeting the people behind the best-kept brewed secret of the country until she found just what she was looking for – wildlife-friendly, specialty Indian coffee with which to make Kaapi.
7. MOR Collections
MOR prides itself on offering timeless fashion wear in South Asian-inspired designs, each expertly crafted to ensure wearability, quality, and fit. that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of unique outfits with just a handful of pieces. Each piece is designed to be worn not only to your next wedding or cultural event, but also beyond, into your everyday lives. Frustrated by a lack of South Asian clothing options that were both stylish and versatile, Founder and CEO, Mayuri Baheti, launched MOR Collections to redefine the shopping experience for South Asian fashion.
Neythri member, Hani Anis, declares, “The clothing fits absolutely perfectly, on someone like me who has trouble finding a perfect fit anywhere. The pieces are so high quality and durable and come beautifully packaged. I have worn my set multiple times and can think of so many uses for the pieces.”
Use the Neythri special discount code CELEBRATENEYTHRI when you shop online on the MOR Collections website www.morcollections.com
About MOR Collections’ Founder, Mayuri Baheti
Mayuri Baheti is the founder and CEO of MOR Collections, a South Asian inspired fashion company, helping women do more with their wardrobe. Mayuri started her career at Microsoft where she spent 3+ years leading ERP software implementations for Fortune 500 clients in retail and manufacturing. After receiving her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth, she joined Fooda, a mid-sized startup based in Chicago, leading projects and initiatives to optimize performance.
8. Raaha
Raaha is a women-led social enterprise powering growth in the artisan economy by facilitating digital access to handmade, for today’s conscious global consumers. They work with social enterprises and artisan communities to bring beautiful, environmentally positive gifts and immersive cultural experiences The artisan economy is the 2nd largest employer, after the agricultural sector in india. They have a network of 3000+ artisans that handcraft all their products, the goal being to sustain cultural knowledge of South Asian craft communities and create access to global markets. 80% of the artisans they work with are women – a big goal for Raaha is to drive women artisans towards financial freedom. The company name represents that too, as Raaha in Persian translates to freedom.
Shop Raaha online on the Raaha website www.raaha.co.
About Raaha’s Founders, Radhika Gupta and Amrita Haldipur
As an entrepreneur and consultant with over 12 years of experience in nurturing, leading, and sustainably scaling businesses, Radhika Gupta has worked with over 2000 creative entrepreneurs and direct-to-consumer brands. Radhika is passionate about working with people driven by purpose and loves connecting people and creating meaningful partnerships. Her love for handmade and artisan-made products and drives creates opportunities that provide sustainable livelihoods for women in local creative economies that have led her to start Raaha. Radhika also serves on the board of advisors for social impact organizations working in gender equity in India and volunteers as the events lead for a non-profit community for women passionate about social impact in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Amrita Haldipur is an impact entrepreneur and co-founder of Raaha, with a career rich in corporate & social impact experience, spanning across 16+ years invested in building global and hyperlocal brands in India. Ex-India Marketing & Comms Head of National Geographic, she has been an advisor, educator, writer, photographer, design thinker and brand messaging specialist working with startups, agencies, incubation programs, think tanks, grassroot communities and non-profits in strengthening their digital transformation journey and building a purpose-led growth story that resonates with their stakeholders & meets business KPIs.
9. ReeMat Designs
ReeMat Designs is a venture of a civil engineer from Stanford University. Reena Mathur brings her engineer’s eye for precision and detail to every piece of ReeMat Designs jewelry. The jewelry embodies her passion for art and her personal style sensibilities, influenced by the concept of East meets West. Designed with attention to detail, in collaboration with artisans and workshops globally, ReeMat Designs fuse the classic and contemporary creating high-end fashion jewelry.
Use the Neythri special discount code NEYTHRI10 off any jewelry purchase when you shop online on the ReeMat Designs website www.reematdesigns.com
About ReeMat Designs Founders, Reena Mathur
Reena Mathur is the founder and creative designer of ReeMat designs. She holds an MS degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelors in Civil Engineering from India.
10. Saeyri
Launched as an artisanal jewelry brand in October 2020, Saeyri means poetry. The modern jewelry is designed for those with an eclectic taste; crafted with classic tools by artisans rooted in local traditions. Designed with intention and meticulous attention to detail by designers Rujuta and Manasvi and handmade by artisans in India, each Saeyri is a medium of artistic expression, for both the maker and the wearer. It is poetry in motion: jewelry that is designed to transcend time.
Use the Neythri special discount code NEYTHRI10 when you shop online on the Saeyri website www.saeyri.com
About Saeyri’s Founders, Rujuta and Manasvi
Growing up in a family with liberal values, Rujuta chased her dream to study design at the prestigious National Institute of Design – a school that was set up on the recommendation of Charles and Ray Eames in India, to aid small industries such as handicrafts. Rujuta has worked with grassroot artisans in Bidar to global brands like IKEA, applying her innate sense of design to not just products, but also to impact people’s livelihoods, their culture and society; making a difference in the lives of both the craftspeople and the consumers. After more than a decade of self-discovery– she believes design has to be ‘Hand-on, Minds-on’.
Manasvi is a self-taught jewelry designer and maker. An MBA in Human Resources, Manasvi started her career partnering with businesses to create workplace environments where people thrive. She loved working with people, but she did not enjoy corporate setups. It was while visiting Kutch and immersing herself in it’s rich craft traditions that she decided she is wanted to create art, work with textures, colors and forms; things that she had a deep appreciation for. She started making jewelry in 2017, incorporating all the skills she had picked up along the way. She loves to create jewelry that is unique and impactful, seeking inspiration in simple objects and layering in some fun!
11. Silk & Sonder
Silk & Sonder is a self-care monthly planner and journal subscription service. What sets it apart, is that this service gives you an opportunity to start afresh every month, with new themes to reflect on, points to ponder and a chance to jot down your own thoughts. Silk & Sonder has created a holistic membership – integrating a guided journal, mobile app, community, and experiences – that meets you where you are and takes you where you want to go.
As Neythri co-founder Sruthi Ramaswami states, “I’ve been a happy Silk & Sonder customer for over two years and can’t get through a week without my journal. I use my Silk & Sonder both for planning & organization as well as mindfulness and setting intentions. I love that you get a new one every month – it helps reset and avoid the overwhelm that annual planners can create! Beautifully designed and thoughtfully curated to fit your busy life!”
Use the Neythri special discount code NEYTHRI20 when you shop online on the Silk & Sonder website www.silkandsonder.com. (Live until 1.2.2022)
About Silk & Sonder’s Founder, Meha Agrawal
Meha Agrawal is the Founder and CEO of Silk & Sonder. Searching for answers to how to create a life of meaning led Meha to create a tool for herself that blended reflection with planning, intention with action. And as she explains, “When I saw how transformative bringing pen to paper was, I set out to create a guided experience that makes self care more intentional, joyful, and personalized for everyone.” And so Silk & Sonder was born!
12. Tatcha
Tatcha is a true story of harmony and transformation. In 2008, Vicky Tsai encountered classical beauty rituals in Kyoto that forever altered her life. The pure, natural formulas and philosophy of harmony healed her acute dermatitis and helped her regain balance inside and out. Founded the following year, Tatcha creates sensorial rituals that care for you by gently transforming your skin and elevating your senses by pairing timeless traditions with emerging research.
According to Neythri member & Tatcha fan, Anika Ayyar, ” I love all of Tatcha’s products and will unhesitatingly recommend them. An added bonus for me is that a portion of every Tatcha purchase supports global children’s education equality through a partnership with Room to Read, through the brand’s Beautiful Faces Beautiful Futures Fund. What’s not to love?”
Use the Neythri special discount code NEYTHRI15 when you shop online on Tatcha website www.tatcha.com.
About Tatcha’s Founder, Vicky Tsai
Vicky Tsai is the Founder of Tatcha, the luxury skincare and well-being company launched in 2009. An ardent supporter of children’s educational equality, she serves on the Global Board of Directors for Room to Read. She also serves as a mentor for SEO Scholars, the Asian American Foundation, and Sephora’s Accelerate Program. Tsai’s work at Tatcha has earned her the WWD Beauty Inc. Founder’s Award (2019), the Cosmetic Executive Women Female Founder Award (2019), and Tsai was named to Inc. Magazine’s 2021 100 Female Founders List and InStyle Magazine’s 2018 “Badass 50 Women” List for Tatcha’s education equality work. She holds degrees from Wellesley College and Harvard Business School, and prior to Tatcha held management roles at Merrill Lynch and Starbucks.
13. The Kushie
Common to the Japanese Kutsurogi lifestyle, The Kushie is part cushion, part footrest and all comfort. The Kushie’s compact, portable design and sleek look allows for it to be used under a desk during work hours, left out to seamlessly blend with any decor or tucked away in its matching drawstring bag for travel. With everyday stresses on the rise and increased anxiety levels, if you are looking for simple and affordable ways to incorporate at-home wellness and joy into everyday then The Kushie is a must-have – It is like a warm hug for your feet! Pets love The Kushie too!
Neythri Founding Circle member, Priya Ghandikota says, ” The Kushie is foot heaven for me. It’s a chance for me to indulge and pamper while I multitask at my work desk or while I’m curled up with a good book . It’s also a family favorite – we can often be heard fighting over who gets the Kushie during movie night.”
Use the Neythri special discount code GIFTGUIDE25 when you shop online on the Kushie website www.thekushie.com
About The Kushie’s Co-founder, Bhargavi Varma
Bhargavi Varma is a Partner at LuxStory, a boutique marketing agency that engages in connection and collaboration to amplify the stories of brands we believe in. In 2020, LuxStory launched its first consumer brand, The Kushie.
14. Vertara
Vertara is a sustainable luxury label founded by two South Asian sisters with the vision of women empowering women. This holiday season shop for patent pending designer handbags that are both fabulous and functional. Curate your own collection with Vertara’s range of bags, shoulder straps, interchangeable pockets, wallets and more, in a wide palette of colors and textures. Each Vertara bag is a unique creation!
Shop and receive Vertara Gift Cards! Get a $75 gift card with $350 purchase, $150 with $645, or $200 with $745. Shop online on the Vertara website www.vertara.com.
About Vertara Founders, Namrita and Sweta
Vertara is the brainchild of two petite and powerful women, Namrita Khandelwal and Sweta Khandelwal – sisters by birth, rebels by choice, neighbors by chance, and business partners by destiny. As they declare, “We are two sisters on a mission to transform fashion to realize a double dividend for our womankind stakeholders – fabulous for our customers, fair to our artisans, and sustainable for our communities.”
Namrita’s design and company vision is inspired by global experiences rooted in the fundamental issues of empowerment and sustainability. She is a BA-MBA-MPP holder from the Delhi University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Sweta is the feisty and free-spirited co-founder for Vertara. She holds a BCom-JD-LLM from Delhi University and the University of California, Los Angeles.
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*Discount codes valid till 1/15/22 unless otherwise noted.
