Jodie Fried and Armadillo&Co in India!

Written
by
Jenny Butler
Writer
Jenny Butler
28th of March 2011

Today we welcome Jodie Fried to the Guest Blog! You might remember Jodie from her inspiring interview last year where we learnt all about her fantastic work in India through her homewares company Bholu. This week, Jodie is taking us to India with her sister business Armadillo&Co. We'll  see how their rugs are created, from the raw materials, meeting the talented artisans behind the rugs and seeing the final products. It is going to be a really interesting and beautiful week, thank you to Jodie for taking us on this journey! -Jenny x

I am so excited to be here on The Design Files, a big thanks to Lucy and Jenny for having me! In the past, The Design Files have profiled my other brand Bholu (see interview here!) but this week, I wanted to share my recent journey to India for my other brand Armadillo&Co while we (my business partner, Sally and I) check on production, meet with our weavers and let ourselves be inspired to develop new ranges.

Some of the Armadillo&Co range - gorgeous!

A big part of our trips each year is to visit our weavers who create our beautiful rugs by hand. The intricate tradition of carpet weaving has been passed down through generations, so many of our weavers and artisans are indeed families.

All of these villages can only be reached by car after hours on unsealed small roads passing through farmers’ fields, buffalo herds and small neigbouring villages. After such long journey’s, we are always welcomed with open arms.

Our weavers are all carefully selected for both their hands and their heart - that is, not just their skills but their sensitivity to our design vision. And every individual is treated like one.

They are paid above average wages. They are integral to their local community's livelihood. Most importantly, they are carrying on a lineage that deserves preservation.

We believe handicraft like theirs needs to be in good hands.

- Jodie x

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