Frida Bommai

Born in the midst of political chaos, Frida Kahlo was a woman unlike any other. She captured the imagination of anyone who encountered her and continues to do so. A painter, a radical feminist, a survivor, there aren’t too many people who have achieved in a mere 47 years of existence, what Frida did, with all her challenges.

[PS: As an adult, Frida collected dolls. A reminder that you’re never too old to buy a doll.]

Made of pure cotton, our Frida Bommai can be dry-cleaned or wiped clean with a damp cloth and is instantly recognisable by her brows and the profusion of flowers she loved wearing in her hair. Her typical Tejuana wide skirt with hakoba frill and short top, are washable and made of end of bolt fabric, sourced from local manufacturers. The rosettes on her head are crocheted, as are her distinctive painted boots and her stole, held together by a hand-crocheted rosette. She comes with a hand-crocheted palette and brush.

The Frida Bommai comes with a little sleeping bag and pillow that make for neat storage.

The Smritsonian is a pandemic baby, born as much out of necessity and despair, as optimism and solidarity. Journalist and writer Smriti Lamech found herself confined to a cottage in the Palani Hills, due to the unexpected and ill-planned lockdown. She was not able to head back home to Gurgaon, and her work. Instead, she chanced upon a couple of women’s self help groups that found themselves strapped for employment and income.

She took it upon herself to create business for them, and also used the opportunity to fulfill a dream – feminism taught young. She hit upon the idea of creating ragdolls out of the materials available in the little town, designed them, and worked with the ladies to help them stitch them.

Committed to reducing environmental impact, and supporting local businesses, each purchase takes the ladies one step closer towards independence and self-sufficiency.