Our Story
Our Story
Mission
To revive age-old arts & crafts by creating a decentralized global network of local talent. Zola India creates sustainable livelihoods by preserving India’s heritage, discovering new forms of expression and sharing it in the form of wearable art to the world. Zola India does this by marrying innovative designs with traditional rural craft and art forms (that are dying out or losing relevance) with what the the modern day consumer wants in the form of jewellery.
Founding Story
Gina Joseph, the Founder and Director of Zola India graduated with a visual communication degree and was a media professional with over 7 years, her experience spanning across advertising, journalism and corporate communication.
Gina calls herself an accidental entrepreneur and designer; what started as a college project when she pursued Arts Management from Dakshinachitra, gave her a new lease of life in the form of Zola India. She conducted her first Dhokra Design Intervention workshop in 2014 and there has been no looking back since. Her educational credentials include a Visual communication degree from Loyola college, a PG Diploma in Arts Management from Dakshinachitra and a certificated program, Crafting Luxury and Lifestyle Businesses for IIM Ahmedabad.
Gina is quoted on crafts and fashion trend stories and also writes about Indian craft history in national media outlets. She was one of the 15 entrepreneurs chosen from across India to be a part of the Milestone Maker’s India program, organized by Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center and Startup India. Gina also won the 2019 Times Of India’s She Unltd award in the Fashion segment, Chennai.
Craft Story
Zola India as a brand allows rural & folk artisans to express themselves through wearable art. It is a voice that narrates their stories to the world, enabling them to realize sustained economic empowerment. This is done by conducting regular design Intervention and Innovation workshops and introducing new materials, processes and techniques in traditional rural crafts.
Zola India has worked with Dhokra and Pattachitra from Orissa, Toda embroidery from Tamilnadu, Wall Mural art and Aranmula mirror from Kerala, Leather puppetry and Lac Turnery from Andhra Pradesh, Bidri from Karnataka and Bead embroidery from Gujarat. We have worked with over 500 artisans from these states and have conducted over 30 Design intervention workshops across rural India.
