Farrokh Jijina
When their grandmother Homai Tarapore would go out dressed in her heirloom gara saris and inherited jewelry, she would narrate stories about their origin to sisters Bombay-based Kainaz Tarapore and Firoza Shroff. That, combined with growing up in a household surrounded by “Chinese as well as Indian antiques,” and the opportunity to browse through Homai’s collection of saris, kors, jhablas and ijars, set the duo on the road to becoming “designer-entrepreneurs” for gara embroidery, the duo stated in a call with Parsiana on February 24, 2021.
From l:gara embroidered accessories from Jophiel for children, youth and seniors;
“designer-entrepreneurs” Feroza Shroff and Kainaz Tarapore
Their brand Jophiel manufactures and sells handbags, pouches and stoles. Their “Vintage” range of bags uses kor, “hence reusing and preserving the art.” They also make beadwork and fabric bags. Sales are mainly via word of mouth or the occasional popup exhibition. Prices range from Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000 for handbags and stoles. Clientele is a mix of Parsi and non-Parsi. “We have had a lot of interest from Parsis overseas,” stated the sisters.
Jophiel is the archangel of wisdom and understanding in certain religious traditions. The name is “a tribute of sorts to our family members,” who set them down this road of couture.
“We plan to extend our repertoire to jackets, kurtis, blouses; and shawls, pocket squares and ties for men.” Jophiel creates saris on receiving customized orders. The craftsmen the sisters work with are based in Bombay, but also have family members in Calcutta who assist. “Depending on the scale of work that is coming our way, we hope to engage with larger numbers to provide a livelihood as well as encourage the next-in-line to stay in the profession,” stated Tarapore and Shroff.
Homai’s “legacy is one which we are so proud of…A love of these fine things percolated down to us and without any formal design training, this interest beckoned us to become entrepreneurs,” stated the sisters.
What is Jophiel’s unique proposition in this niche area? “As the craft teeters on the brink due to loss of skilled artisans and the expensive, heirloom price tag attached to it, we at Jophiel endeavor to bring a little piece of the magic to all. Hence we have focused on handbags and stoles so that everyone can afford the beautiful embroidery.”
The sisters stated that a percentage of their monthly income is set aside to support Cuddles Foundation, a nongovernmental organization that supports children with cancer.
Jophiel is the archangel of wisdom and understanding in certain religious traditions. The name is “a tribute of sorts to our family members,” who set them down this road of couture.
“We plan to extend our repertoire to jackets, kurtis, blouses; and shawls, pocket squares and ties for men.” Jophiel creates saris on receiving customized orders. The craftsmen the sisters work with are based in Bombay, but also have family members in Calcutta who assist. “Depending on the scale of work that is coming our way, we hope to engage with larger numbers to provide a livelihood as well as encourage the next-in-line to stay in the profession,” stated Tarapore and Shroff.
Homai’s “legacy is one which we are so proud of…A love of these fine things percolated down to us and without any formal design training, this interest beckoned us to become entrepreneurs,” stated the sisters.
What is Jophiel’s unique proposition in this niche area? “As the craft teeters on the brink due to loss of skilled artisans and the expensive, heirloom price tag attached to it, we at Jophiel endeavor to bring a little piece of the magic to all. Hence we have focused on handbags and stoles so that everyone can afford the beautiful embroidery.”
The sisters stated that a percentage of their monthly income is set aside to support Cuddles Foundation, a nongovernmental organization that supports children with cancer.