I am delighted to interview Chinar Farooqui, founder of INJIRI, one of my personal fave artisanal brands. The company works with artists in India to create exquisite home decor and apparel. Their attention to detail will make you swoon – their products are delicate, chic, thoughtful and timeless. They speak about their products with grace and don't try too hard. Their belief in what they do shines through in the natural voice of their marketing communication. They dig into techniques, materials, and design – always accompanied with beautiful photography.

This month, Annie interviewed with Marcella Echavarria and Kavita Parmar, who just wrapped up TEXTO, so I thought it would be fun to share a quick recap for those of you who were not able to make it. If you aren't familiar, TEXTO was a global gathering of artists and advocates for the artisan sector that took place this past winter in Mexico City. Products were sold from master artists and a lot of conversations were had on the current and future state of the sector.

When you first approach Alentejo you realize why Mizette Nielsen fell in love with the area. The landscapes of central Portugal are breathtaking. The scent of lavender, chamomile, and orange blossom fills the spring air. I made the journey to Alentejo this past spring to meet with Mizette just two months after she sold her business, Fabrica Alentejana de Lanificio.

This month, I'm delighted to interview Maggie Galton, the co-founder and art historian of one of my all-time favorite brands: Onora. Based in Mexico City, Maggie and her business partner Maria Eladia work closely with artisan communities throughout Mexico to create unique home items. Their pieces strike a delicate balance between innovative and traditional design without ever sacrificing cultural identity. Let’s dive in!

This month, AOW connects with Tuulia Makinen Diallo of Tensira. With offices in Paris and Guinea, Tensira offers a unique home décor collection, fusing Nordic design and traditional West African craftsmanship. It’s a collaboration between Tuulia, the company’s designer, and Hamidou Diallo, its manager. Hamidou’s mother was an indigo dyer for more than 40 years in Guinea where Tensira’s workshop is located. She was his source of inspiration for founding the brand. Tuulia was kind enough to sit down with us to share the story of her brand and her tips for staying focused.

This month, I was delighted to reconnect with a dear friend and colleague, Mandy Kordal of Kordal Studio. You can read our previous interview here but I wanted to check back in with Mandy. A lot has happened since we last spoke, including the opening of a brick-and-mortar shop in Green Point, Brooklyn. I was delighted to hear that she’s doing well despite all the challenges thrown her way in recent months. During our conversation, she shared what has been working for her, how she coped during the worst times last year, how she pivoted to adapt, and where she’s been going to stay inspired.