Greetings from Aerocity, Delhi. |
Happy Valentine's Weekend! We have just arrived in India from Kathmandu, Toni and I took an Indigo (very short) flight down to Delhi T3, landing at 3pm. Bondhan, our man in Indonesia, braved Air India and flew from Denpasar to Delhi T3 also landing at 3pm, although a much longer flight. The plan was to meet in the luggage hall.. what could possibly go wrong. Amazingly it worked and we easily found each other. It's Bondhan's very first trip to India. So this should be interesting especially since later we will be going hard core India. But the first evening is at an airport hotel - in an area called Aerocity.. basically all the hotels in the world have built a hotel here. We are staying at a Lemon Tree Hotel, a lovely well loved Indian brand that famously employs disabled and disadvantaged people. Recycled water in the toilets etc. It's very woke.. Trump would hate it. We loved it. This morning Chatterjee (our man in India) came and because it's Chatterjee's (big) birthday and Bondhan's first trip I said lets go and visit somewhere special.. so we went to a real Ancient Wisdom place, the Qutb Minar complex.. Where we took some promo shots (kind of ) for our up and coming Travel Blessing Scarves (see below)..    Team India. Bondhan (our man from Indonesia), Me, Chatterjee (our man in India) and Toni (our man in Spain). Kathmandu Update Well this week has been a rolling development of ideas, samples and redesigns.. we have been working in three main areas and I feel quite pleased at progress.. Progress in Kathmandu, I have to say there is a feeling of things happening in Nepal, a certain buzz.. in Thamel two new smart hotels opened, lots of cool cafes and hip bars. After the Gen Z protests and the overthrow of the government, (elections will be held next month..) It seems to me they were getting on better just with an interim government, but what do I know? Since we were last here a new hotel opened in the heart of Thamel, twelve stories high, inside it is as traditional Nepali wood carved almost old fashioned, take the lift to the 12th and they have a restaurant and event area built inside a four sided glass box. Ultra modern. Mr Padam (our gentleman agent) invited us to visit.   I mean what the heck is a Weaning Party… Nepal Style Flowers everywhere. Pink drapes. Bright cushions. Traditional dress. In Nepal, it seems life’s transitions are celebrated properly. Community and ritual is important. And I’m standing there thinking… it's another GIFT opportunity.. We talk about “storytelling” in retail all the time. Every object in that room had context. Symbolism. Craft. Which brings me neatly back to why I’m here. There’s something else here too.
You see young people everywhere — ambitious, creative, restless. Some dream of leaving. Some dream of building things right here. It’s a city in transition. And maybe that’s why I love it. It’s not polished or predictable. But it’s alive. And the artisans are really on it. All sorts of bright ideas we can work together on. This trip Toni and I We have been focused on three artisan suppliers. One new Felt Supplier (cute things sell) we like.. developing more artisan Lokta paper notebooks (stationery is a growing gifting area) and with our old friend Mr Suman, our textile guy, we are working on Blessings scarves.. Talking about gifting opportunities.. (my theme at the moment) - here in Nepal so many young people dream of leaving - go to work in Dubai or Türkiye - they can send money home and have an adventure. At the airport families all turn up to see their loved ones - seems like a whole village saying goodbye to one young guy. And they drape him in a Blessing scarf. There is tremendous Ancient Wisdom in this..  Here's some guys at the airport and here's Toni in our version. Perfect for our Nomad Sari (spirit of travel) brand. The world is actually bursting with Gifting Opportunities.. for example sold right with a story could be a great gift for travel stores, airport shops etc.
OK so talking about gifting opportunities.. Valentine's Day is upon us - hope your weekend is full of love and romance! Next up is Mother's Day - and at AW we have the goods! Check out the deal below. Well Valentine’s week kinda started in Kathmandu… and now we’re continuing in Delhi. From prayer flags to big city vibe and traffic honking. Different rhythm. Same energy. I just want to say I’m grateful — for the friendships, the artisans, the ideas taking shape… and for your support that makes all this possible. After all these years, I still feel lucky to be doing this. Thank you. Stay tuned for next week’s update — India continues to unfold. Happy Valentine’s. David 
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