Fashion designers and brands are always drawing inspiration from different cultures and exotic locales. Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy drew inspiration from Tahiti for its spring/summer 2012 collection; while Monique L’huillier referenced molten lava and volcanic rock for her current fall/winter outing. Still, rarely does the referencing go beyond the runway and retail stores. Nor does it necessarily have to. Yet, when a brand does seek to give something back to cultures that have so generously feed their creative mien, their generosity deserves special attention. Agabhumi is one such brand.
Since 2002, Agabhumi, which means ancient earth, has married the craftsmanship of local Balinese artisans with current trends and color schemes. “Bali is such an industrious culture and there is a unique spirituality that is reflected through the [artisan’s] craftsmanship. What we do at Agabhumi is take color stories and seasonal trends and reflect Balinese culture through these prisms in a fresh and innovative ways,” detail Agabhumi co-creator Regina Kirschbaum. From handbags and sandals that employ the ‘ata’ or vine-weaving technique to the detailed, silver jewelry that incorporates the principles of tri chita karana—translated means replacing in the earth what you have taken—Agabhumi is solidly engaged in the synergy between its local artisans and its consumer base. “Our brand is an interactive experience that creates a synergy between the consumer and the Balinese artisans that make our product … we bring those two entities together to make a whole, which facilitates our ability to create head-to-toe color stories for our consumers,” explains Kirschbaum.
As a brand that deals mainly in accessories, Agabhumi has tapped into the resurging boom of accessories on the American market. “Agabhumi has tapped into this boom with moderately priced items that are on trend. We offer our customers more than the ‘look for less’ sales pitch, which you get from a lot of brands; we are giving great looks at incredible value,” confides Kirschbaum. “I spend a lot of time reading trend forecasts and looking at the trends for the new seasons. From that knowledge base, I mix and match accessories from the 45-plus Balinese vendors that we employ that complement the trend and color schemes … We also try to combine trends with what works for our customer’s lifestyle.”
Agabhumi has uniquely funneled its eco-friendly, hands-on business model into economically buttressing the local economy of vendors in Bali, as well as being involved in various charities stateside that range from anti-bullying campaigns to teen crisis centers. This holistic approach to creativity, business and human rights has manifested a fashion-forward, quality product that satisfies a wide variety of consumers.
Images courtesy of Agabhumi
Agabhumi is proving that commerce, creativity and respect for the environment and local economies can be congenial bedfellows.
Agabhumi has stores in New Haven and Stamford, Connecticut and Santa Monica, California. For more information, go to agabhumi.com.
—William S. Gooch
