This week was a big one here at CraftHER. Our final organisation was Asha’s very own SWARA, so the pressure was on to live up to expectations.

When we arrived at SWARA on Monday, we were warmly welcomed with a blessing, a rose, and a beautiful shrug each. We then heard from the tailors about their experiences working at SWARA and what makes it different from working elsewhere. In particular, the women spoke about the better pay and more regular work, which provides them with a more sustainable income.

Throughout the week, we had the amazing opportunity to design our own collection of SWARA clothing. We have named our collection An Ode to Kerala, and we had so much fun designing and shooting it. It was a fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes of running a fashion brand, and especially a lesson in patience and timing. The tailors SWARA works with are not professionally trained, so it can often take several days for a single piece to be completed. It was all worth it though, as the collection is truly beautiful (if I do say so myself) and will be launching soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

After a busy week at SWARA, we spent the weekend in Vagamon at the beautiful Little Flowers Farm. Situated in what felt like the middle of nowhere, it was the perfect opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved break from Kottayam. It was a brilliant final weekend off, and a lovely way to spend our last few days relaxing.

As I write this from Kochi Airport, about to fly back to the realities of Manchester rain, I am feeling incredibly grateful and reflective about my time on CraftHER. I truly cannot recommend the experience enough. To any future scholars considering their LIA, I would say go for it. It is an unforgettable opportunity.

Thank you to Asha and the rest of the CraftHER team for all the thought and effort they have put into organising this programme. We have all had a wonderful time.