2020, I was working as an AICI Certified Image Consultant and Stylist in Toronto. My weekdays were filled with creative, inspiring, busy moments and weekends to explore the unknown of the land. One cold evening while strolling by the side of the cloudy white snow, I received a call. I was shocked to hear a worried voice, one of the leather artisans of Kanpur whom I knew from past few years called to unburden his heavy heart. He was worried about his struggling business during the pandemic.
A thirty minute conversation changed my whole life. I fell into the spiral of helping these artisans, to tell their story, to give them a name. In this meditative state, I found “MEDA”. This was meant to happen, this is the path I want to lead, my heart cried. So, I collaborated with Atif Ji, the kanpur artisan. Began with funding for leather production and eventually came up with my own designs.
2022, I took the tough decision of abandoning my life in Canada and returning to India, permanently. As soon as I reached India, I headed to Kanpur and met Atif Ji. I remember vividly the smile on his face, the warm welcome and my designs in making. It became more than just a leather product for me, It was sweat shining on their forehead, It was depleting softness of their hands, It was life for multiple lives and my life. Meda Lifestyle was no more a passion project, It was the livelihood of many and so, we decided to expand.
Few months down, I found a burning star - A designer heavily inspired by intertwining indie music and fashion. Once again I saw a spark of passion and there Meda expanded from Leather to Artistic Fashion products. Since then we have onboarded multiple products and brands showcasing our Artisans. Now we have artisans focusing on art, creativity, innovation and sustainability. Products that would cater to all gender and age groups. A close knit community of growth and creativity. A community of support and resilience.
Today, I have a family bigger than I could ever imagine, an important member being Atif Ji. Now, the agenda is to take his story, our story globally. We are committed to provide authentic, quality, artistic products to you all, to integrate art with your lifestyle, to introduce luxury. Luxury of enjoying creative liberty, luxury of supporting the artisans, luxury of supporting the one in need, and luxury of authentically being yourself.
Meda Lifestyle, Introducing Luxury to Lifestyle.