Global Daughter Creative Process

Working with Nepali women designers, painters, tailors, master cutters and jewelers is the most remarkable part of the creative process for Global Daugther. We try to take products that women here already know how to make and then we "tweek" them to fit western trends and styles. We don't want to come in and change the craft, we want to introduce new ideas and open the artist's mind to new things while preserving their traditional methods. There is a market for the things they already produce, but that market is not, what we think, sustainable for them in the future. Global Daughter wants to help them enter into new markets with greater economic potential and maximum exposure. We are not trained designers or artists and neither of us has a background in fashion, but we do know what will sell and we are confident in the skills of our women artisans. If the handicrafts look good, are well-made, and have a story, we believe there is a market for them.

The stuff they produce is just so beautiful. The problem with most Nepali items on the market, however, is the not-up-to-par finishing work. In western markets the consumer seeks a quality product and doesn't mind paying for an item that will last. With our stuff here, it is all handmade- that means no machines, no mass production, so the finishing touches are more difficult to perfect. We have to stress to the artisans that tight finish work is our priority and we will sell nothing but high-quality goods. It is hard because after seeing them make everything with their hands, in such detail, I totally understand the quality gap that may occur.

When I say everything is handmade, I mean everything! The handmade paper handles on our gift bags are rolled and pulled and stretched for about 20 minutes and then twisted precisely and glued onto the bag. One handle start to finish takes about 40 minutes. The women sit at the table in groups and manipulate this handmade paper all day long. When we first saw this we looked at each other and said, "This is real now. This stuff is certified handmade, certified fair trade, and these women are incredible. Let's share this with the world!"

We spend days on one product sometimes. From designing a concept, seeing it drafted, seeing a sample, modifying the sample, refusing the sample because it is not good enough (sometimes), and then starting from scratch. We have ideas, the artist has ideas, and we all have to be on the same wavelength. They don't know what will sell, but we do. We don't understand the techniques in the production, but they do. It is a process that, in Nepal, has to cross language barriers, cultural barriers, and market barriers before a decision can be finalized. It is time consuming and can be ultra-frustrating, but when a product comes out great it is all worth it.

We just had to send back 50 finished cotton handbags because the screen-printed words were slanted. It was slightly noticeable and we probably could have sold them, but we don't want just good enough. There is a standard we have in place and as much as we dislike it, we have to be firm with the people we work with. We respect them so much and have built friendships with them and their families, but for this to work we have to strengthen the business side of our relationship.

It is all a learning process for us and for our producers, it is a process that will build their capacity to work with other buyers. In the end, no matter what happens we believe in the products we are selling and we will work hard to get them noticed, appreciated and at your doorstep!


Erika fitting the organic cotton shopping bag with Rina


Erika with Ajit and Rina designing our kid's collection felt puppets


Erin trying to make a paper box and failing miserably


Erika going over logo sketches at home during our nightly power outage


Erin checking the progress of the handmade paper drying process


Lets join! Twisting and braiding paper handles for giftbags with the women


Erika finalizing the style and size of our Global Daughter tags and labels