We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jigisha Darbha. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Jigisha, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Thanks for having me again, I am truly honored! As the holidays approach, most of my waking hours these days are spent preparing for the season at my brick-and-mortar. Even with learnings from previous years, the preparation never really ends; there’s always something new to face and that’s part of what keeps it exciting. A normal day means hitting the ground running: sewing, packaging, quality control, merchandising once I arrive at the shop, and attending to customers. Reflecting this way is actually a good reminder to carve out some time for myself, too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jigisha, and I am a biologist-turned-entrepreneur that found a passion for exploring artisanal skills and cultural roots through handcrafted textiles. Through my brand, Ji, I hope to bring awareness around generational craftsmanship and textile heritage, while offering thoughtful products that are co-created with my artisan partners and social enterprise partners. I mainly focus on traditional techniques like block printing, handloom weaving and resist dyeing, producing season-less home textiles and clothing accessories made to last. By blending contemporary aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship, my work attempts to bring relevance to old craft forms and carries a dialogue between the past and the present.
After many years of showing my work at craft fairs across the Bay area, I opened a brick-and-mortar in Oakland to showcase my creations as well as feature the work of fellow designers, artists and small businesses. These individuals and businesses share a vision similar to my mine, each expressing it through their own mediums. I also collect and display vintage home goods, being drawn to pieces with history and character that complement the stories told by the objects in the shop. In addition, I host artists and events to bring the community together and celebrate creativity. Now, two and a half years later, I happily collaborate with more than 40 makers, curating a space that is rooted in thoughtful forms, grounded materials, and creative legacy.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before I transitioned into the textile and artisan world, I spent my early career as a computational biologist, coding and researching pathogens, before deciding to follow a more creative path. That work certainly taught me discipline, curiosity, and attention to detail, which are qualities I now bring into my studio practice and the way I approach my shop. My current work is possibly my true calling; it wakes me up in the morning, and I’m always looking for ways to grow and explore.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
While there isn’t one particular moment when I almost gave up, running a business and maintaining a cheerful front at the shop comes with its challenges. I work with partners overseas, which brings time differences and communication hurdles, and geopolitical factors sometimes affect operations in unexpected ways. Retail itself is unpredictable in many aspects. In those moments, I have to remind myself that the vision is long-term and it’s important to look beyond temporary setbacks towards the bigger picture.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest lies the industry tells itself is around sustainability and greenwashing. These terms are often thrown around loosely, sometimes to create a perception rather than reflect real practices. Businesses of all sizes can misuse them, whether unintentionally or strategically, to appear more environmentally conscious than they truly are. For small businesses, where sourcing, materials, and process matter deeply, it can be especially frustrating to see these words diluted. At the same time, I recognize that no business is 100 percent sustainable. What matters is evolving and, questioning our own practices, learning, and improving little by little. True sustainability is complex. It’s about long-term care for people, materials, and the planet, approached with honesty and intention.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I can’t say for certain what the future may bring. Perhaps something even more fulfilling awaits. But in this moment, it feels like I am doing what I was meant to do. I truly enjoy the work I’m engaged in, and I’m motivated by all there is still to learn, achieve, and improve in both my studio practice and my shop.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ji.the.atelier
Image Credits
Jigisha Darbha
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