Business
Knotting it right
"Initially, when I started with knotted jewellery it took time for the concept to catch on. I am an independent freelance designer for knotted macramé jewellery and accessories. Macramé is a form of textile making using knotting rather than weaving or knitting,” explains Bombay’s Bakhtavar Dastur. Her Facebook webpage called Knotty Affairs — Jewellery and Beyond displays a colorful collection of knotted necklace sets, bracelets, anklets, purse/bag danglers, hair bands, key chains, curtain tie-ups, friendship bands, lampshades, wall hangings, etc. that she makes and markets.
Bakhtavar Dastur (above) and colorful collection of macramé jewellery
The business commenced in December 2010. "Initially I started by making rakhis and selling them in the office where I worked. Thereafter I made simple knotted necklaces and earrings for my personal use and gradually increased the product line. Giving up a secure job to start something on your own is akin to throwing a dart in the dark but I decided to take the risk,” she narrates. People are unaware of the art of knotting and when she approached malls and shops to display the macramé products the response was less than encouraging, more so, she says, as China rules the market with beaded jewellery at competitive rates. "I wanted to brand my product uniquely. I called it Knotty Affairs as my work showcases various knots and multiple knotting techniques. It also adds a naughty (intriguing) twist to the name!” After much trial and error, meeting various people, selling at rock bottom rates she is now, she declares, "finally on a firm footing.”
Completing her BSc in textiles and clothing from Bombay’s Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science at Churchgate, Dastur took up her first job in 1999 as a junior merchandiser in the knitwear department in a well-known export house. Gaining experience with different companies in their exports marketing and designing departments, Dastur moved to become her own boss. "I have no fixed set of clients since this is something very individualistic. I cater to different age groups as per their liking. I take care of everything — from designing to execution, sourcing to marketing.” Advertising started, in keeping with today’s trends, by uploading images on Facebook and "gradually the word spread.” Products are available from the Facebook webpage and are shipped by courier, speed or registered post, depending on the location. From December last year, she has been displaying her creative work at exhibitions too, with encouragement from her husband Rayomond, mother-in-law Bepsy and her parents Havovi and Adi Dastoor. "My family has supported me in starting my new venture and my parents have been present with me at all the exhibitions I have taken part in right from the first one at Cama Park till today.”
Dastur can be contacted on 9324701515.
and article
The business commenced in December 2010. "Initially I started by making rakhis and selling them in the office where I worked. Thereafter I made simple knotted necklaces and earrings for my personal use and gradually increased the product line. Giving up a secure job to start something on your own is akin to throwing a dart in the dark but I decided to take the risk,” she narrates. People are unaware of the art of knotting and when she approached malls and shops to display the macramé products the response was less than encouraging, more so, she says, as China rules the market with beaded jewellery at competitive rates. "I wanted to brand my product uniquely. I called it Knotty Affairs as my work showcases various knots and multiple knotting techniques. It also adds a naughty (intriguing) twist to the name!” After much trial and error, meeting various people, selling at rock bottom rates she is now, she declares, "finally on a firm footing.”
Completing her BSc in textiles and clothing from Bombay’s Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science at Churchgate, Dastur took up her first job in 1999 as a junior merchandiser in the knitwear department in a well-known export house. Gaining experience with different companies in their exports marketing and designing departments, Dastur moved to become her own boss. "I have no fixed set of clients since this is something very individualistic. I cater to different age groups as per their liking. I take care of everything — from designing to execution, sourcing to marketing.” Advertising started, in keeping with today’s trends, by uploading images on Facebook and "gradually the word spread.” Products are available from the Facebook webpage and are shipped by courier, speed or registered post, depending on the location. From December last year, she has been displaying her creative work at exhibitions too, with encouragement from her husband Rayomond, mother-in-law Bepsy and her parents Havovi and Adi Dastoor. "My family has supported me in starting my new venture and my parents have been present with me at all the exhibitions I have taken part in right from the first one at Cama Park till today.”
Dastur can be contacted on 9324701515.
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