Welcome back to The IKKIVI Podcast! I’m your host, Nivi Murthy, and today, we’re joined by Karishma Shah, the founder of Paeony—a brand that blends intuitive design with sustainability. With a background in fine arts and years of curatorial experience, Karishma approaches fashion as a medium for self-expression, prioritizing emotion and connection over fleeting trends.

In this episode, we explore her journey—what led her to start Paeony, the challenges of building a conscious brand, and how she balances sustainability with business growth. We also talk about the power of following your intuition, going with the flow in decision-making, and trusting the creative process while running a business.

We’re so excited for you to listen to this conversation!

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For 14 years, artist Kirstie Macleod brought together 380+ artisans from 51 countries to create The Red Dress—a breathtaking hand-embroidered gown that tells stories of heritage, resilience, and empowerment. Made from 87 panels of burgundy silk dupion, this extraordinary piece has now earned a place in Guinness World Records 2025 as the largest collaborative embroidery project ever.

In this Season 4 premiere of The IKKIVI Podcast, we uncover the origins of The Red Dress Project and the deep connections Kirstie built with artisans worldwide—from Lambani craftswomen in South India to remote village embroiderers. She shares how the project evolved over the years, its survival through challenges like the pandemic, and the deeply personal narratives stitched into every thread.

Tune in to hear Kirstie’s journey before The Red Dress, her process of managing a global creative movement, and her vision for its future. This episode dives into creativity, perseverance, ethical fashion, slow craft, and the power of embroidery in storytelling and social change.

Watch the documentary by Black Bark Films: https://vimeo.com/646523063 

Follow Kirstie’s work here: https://reddressembroidery.com/ 

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Welcome to episode 20 of season 3 of the IKKIVI podcast. Today, we’re thrilled to sit down with Dominique Drakeford, an influential leader in sustainable fashion, environmental justice, and cultural storytelling. With over 15 years of experience, Dominique has transformed the conversation around sustainability, not just as an educator but as a cultural pioneer who bridges community, fashion, and justice. Her work, from Sustainable Brooklyn to her upcoming podcast Compost, Cotton and Cornrows, explores how sustainability can honor both ancestral wisdom and modern solutions.

In this episode, we dive into Dominique’s journey into sustainable fashion and what it means for her on a cultural and societal level. She tells us about her upcoming projects and how she sees the sustainable fashion industry evolving over the years. Plus, as a mother, she shares her experiences navigating conscious parenting and the practices that keep her grounded in her sustainable values. Join us for this inspiring conversation that touches on the heart of sustainable living and Dominique's vision for a better future.

Follow Dominique's work here:

https://www.instagram.com/dominiquedrakeford/

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Welcome to episode 19 of the IKKIVI Podcast season 3. We’re thrilled to welcome Kavita Khosa, Founder and CEO of PUREARTH, whose passion for clean beauty, wellness, and social impact led her on a transformative journey from Banking and being a lawyer to the high-altitude Himalayas. Kavita embraced her Indian roots, building PUREARTH on the foundations of Ayurvedic tradition and sustainability. Her work uplifts communities through partnerships with women’s micro-credit and self-help groups, combining beauty with positive social change.

Today, she joins us to discuss the global rise of Ayurveda, share her personal stories with Ayurveda, bust some myths and explore the mind-skin-body connection in our pursuit of holistic wellness. I’m so excited for you to listen to this heartfelt and warm conversation and get to know this beautiful person behind the brand PUREEARTH.

Checkout PureEarth here:

https://www.purearth.asia/

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Welcome to episode 18 of 'The IKKIVI Podcast’ Season 3. Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by the incredibly talented Eina, a visionary jewelry designer and Creative Director who has been redefining how we view accessories for over two decades.

Eina’s journey is a fascinating one—from leaving the corporate world after completing her MBA, to training at some of the world’s top contemporary jewelry schools in Italy and the Netherlands, to building a globally recognized brand that has graced the pages of British Vogue, CR Fashion Book, and countless others. Her bold, oversized designs have been worn by fashion icons and celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

But what truly sets Eina apart is how she infuses her pieces with deep meaning, spirituality, and storytelling. Her creations are not just accessories; they are personal statements, witnesses to lives well-lived, and a beautiful blend of global influences with traditional craftsmanship.

In today’s conversation, we’ll dive into her journey, what first inspired her to create such deeply personal pieces and how spirituality and mindfulness shape her creative process. We’ll also explore the challenges she’s faced in balancing art and business, her inspirations and how her brand is evolving as she evolves in life.

I’m so excited for you to listen to this episode and hope you enjoy it!

Checkout Eina’s work here:

https://www.instagram.com/einaahluwalia/

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Welcome to episode 17 of 'The IKKIVI Podcast’ Season 3. Today, we are excited to speak with Akshita M. Bhanjdeo, a visionary in luxury travel and media. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure South Asia and co-owner of the historic Belgadia Palace. Her unique blend of heritage and modern hospitality has earned her numerous accolades, including the CNBC She Shakti Award.

In this episode, we’ll explore how Akshita’s personal background has shaped her creative vision, her journey to becoming a leader in travel media, and the evolving role of print publications in today’s digital world. We’ll also dive into her insights on lesser-known Indian destinations, the importance of preserving crafts and cultures through travel, and how the next generation is embracing local experiences over international travel.

I’m so excited for you to listen to this episode and I think it may inspire your next trip! 

Checkout Akshita's Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/abhanjdeo/?hl=en

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Welcome to episode 16 of The IKKIVI Podcast. Today we have with us Sanskriti Sharma, a 30-year-old visionary artist from Delhi. Sanskriti is the creative force behind Paño, a character born straight out of her imagination. Paño, meaning 'a piece of cloth' in Spanish, represents much more than just a symbol—it's a form of escapism, a way to break free from the monotony of daily life and tap into the boundless potential of creativity.

Through Paño's big doll head and expressive eyes, Sanskriti explores the depth of her own inner world, seeing her art as both a personal therapy and a playful exploration of ideas. Paño is a filter between her and the chaos of the outside world, where creativity flourishes and stories come alive. Join us as we unravel the magic behind Sanskriti's journey, and how Paño has become her unique voice in the world of art.

Check out Paño here: https://www.instagram.com/lovefrompano/

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Welcome to episode 15 of The IKKIVI Podcast Season 3. This is a solo episode with our host Nivi Murthy, founder of IKKIVI. We’re celebrating 9 years of IKKIVI and in this episode I share with you stories from 2015 all the way up until now. I share our journey that has been nothing short of challenging, inspirational, educational, emotional and very very fulfilling. Thank you for listening to The IKKIVI Podcast and we hope you enjoy this episode.

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Welcome to episode 14 of The IKKIVI Podcast Season 3. In this episode, we have with us Priyanka Thaker, a multi-dimensional artist working with different mediums and narratives, from towering murals that dominate the urban landscape to intimate installations that beckon viewers into hidden realms of imagination.

In this episode, Priyanka shares her journey from a childhood filled with imagination to the founding of her creative and innovative brand, House of Berserk. We’ll explore how her early experiences shaped her artistic vision, discuss her approach to overcoming challenges and delve into her unique understanding of the energy of colour. We’ll also hear about her recent projects, ‘Daily Practices for Fueling Creativity’ and her commitment to inspiring self expression and freedom through her work. It was so lovely to get to know the person behind House of Berserk and I’m so excited for you to listen in.

Checkout Priyanka's work here: https://www.instagram.com/houseofberserk/

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Welcome to episode 13 of The IKKIVI Podcast Season 3. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Kavya Madappa, a coffee planter, a fierce eco-conscious entrepreneur and the visionary behind Amanvana, an eco-friendly spa resort in Coorg, and Bluecat Paper, a sustainable tree-free paper company.

Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and unwavering commitment to creating a more beautiful and sustainable world. We talk about her innovative business Bluecat paper, what drove her to start this very different kind of business than she's used to, the process of making tree free sustainable paper and her vision for the company. 

Join us as we dive into Kavya Madappa's inspiring story.

Checkout Bluecat's Tree-Free Paper here: https://bluecatpaper.com/

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