How Meghan Markle put Hong Kong-based lifestyle brand Malabar Baby on the map
- Anjali Harjani, the founder of the brand, reveals why she chose to have her products handmade in India
- Her aim, she says, is to create products that go beyond the clichés – there’s not a teddy bear or duck in sight
How has your background influenced your brand? “I was born and raised in Miami and had a very American upbringing until I moved to India when I was a teenager. It was a bit of a culture shock. One thing I loved about living there though was discovering the country’s rich artistry traditions, including block printing. It has become a vital part of our brand.”
Why did you specialise in baby bedding? “I had just found out I was pregnant and started to research bedding products. Being in Hong Kong, you’d think it would be easy to find things, as everything is manufactured in Asia, but I could only find decent products in the United States. I realised there were very few high-calibre baby brands that had original designs – everything came with ducks, teddy bears or other clichés.
“I wanted to create a beautiful product that was gender-neutral while showcasing an element of art. Our designs are for a modern mum like me who wants to feel and look chic whether at home or taking their kid out.”
Why highlight the craftsmanship of India? “‘Made in India’ is booming right now. I travelled to remote places, mainly in the north of the country, to meet textile artists. I work with small communities of women who have a long history in their craft. All of our products feature a specific block printing technique that is done by hand using individual stamps. Once we have sketched the design, the artisans carve them into mango wood, which takes about 10 days. We then work with a colour master to create a palette. One quilt can take up to seven days to make.”
How has the brand evolved in the three years since it was founded? “We started with a mix of organic muslins, swaddles and handmade quilts, and we’ve gone on to add loungewear for parents and kids, as well as extra-large bedding for adults who loved our baby designs. We have seen real growth in Asia as this area is largely untapped.”
Do you think the endorsement by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex will be a turning point for the brand? “We are at a pivotal stage in the business – we’ve gone from online only to 50-plus boutiques. I loved the fact that when the duchess came out in a blanket it was so discreet that it took two days for people to even identify where it was from.”
What’s next? “For me, it’s still about perfecting the sleep story – there are no plans to be the next big fashion brand. I want to stick to what we do best. It’s a story that resonates across all age groups and gives us room to create new products, like our new organic sleep sacks, which were the result of a growing demand from Hong Kong mums. I will continue to work with artists, but my focus will be to bring the best of Asia – its art and fabrics – to Asia.”
