I had the incredible opportunity to work with Swara, an organization dedicated to supporting women artisans across India. Together, we collaborated on designing a new collection — a process that taught me as much about the creative process. Their craft is not only beautiful but deeply intricate — each step in their process is intentional, reflecting generations of tradition and skill. Sitting with them, I was struck by the patience and artistry woven into every detail.
Beyond design, I am also writing a policy brief that explores the challenges and opportunities for tribal women artisans in Kerala. Through these conversations, I’ve been able to understand how economic policy, gender dynamics, and sustainability intersect in their lives. It has been humbling to see how policy on paper translates into lived reality — and how much still needs to be done to ensure that these women’s voices and labor are valued.
This journey has been more than professional; it has been deeply personal. Designing alongside artisans, listening to their experiences, and reflecting on how policy can better serve them has reminded me why I am passionate about bridging research, creativity, and advocacy.
Isabel Iino is an American Studies and Economic and Social History student at Barnard College, Columbia University. With the support of the Laidlaw Foundation, she explored the emergence of "voodoo" doctors, magico-religious healers, their relationship to Black diasporic healing practices, and how magico-religious healers acted as a form of resistance against medical racism for the Black Harlem community during the early 20th century.
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