Mairik tunic Spring 2019. Courtesy LuxCartel
When Janet Karapetian of Armenian brand Mairik (“mother” in Armenian) set out to create her fashion label, she decided to showcase her country’s 2000-year-old, hand-embroidery techniques on linen tunics. Five different types of embroidery symbolizing well-being and prosperity, are used to represent various regions from her home country. They reference the tradition of women wearing embroidery on their chest, back, and womb to protect themselves from the evil eye. The result of old world meeting Scandinavian simplicity that harks back to Karapetian’s years living in Copenhagen revives a chic spirit so rare today. Creating these garments are Armenian women and Syrian Armenian refugees. 15% of sales are donated to charities that help girls from low-income families attend international school, meanwhile, an actual embroidery school is active at the Mairik factory itself.
Mairik tunic Spring 2019. Courtesy LuxCartel
Mairik also features luxury homeware. Each linen design is created by knotted stitches hand-crafted with a needle and fine thread. The tradition, which dates back 1600 years is today only mastered by a handful of female artisans who spend up to six months crafting each piece. The luxury linens are produced in the Jesurum linen house, Burano, Italy, founded in Venice in 1870.
Read Next: Ciara lands her first Vogue cover
