Gina Joseph is part Craft Revivalist and part Jewellery Designer. She collaborates with rural and folk artisans across India to give their art (which is losing its prominence or dying) a new life through a contemporary form and expression. Her jewellery designs cater to the modern or contemporary women who want to make a statement or express her individuality.
Her brand Zola India allows rural and folk artisans to express themselves through wearable art and is a voice that narrates their stories to the world, thereby allowing them to realise sustained economic empowerment by conducting regular design intervention and innovation workshops in jewellery design. Zola India has worked with Dhokra art and Pattachitra paintings from Odisha, Toda embroidery from Tamil Nadu, Wall Mural art and Aranmula mirror art from Kerala, Leather puppetry and Lac Turnery from Andhra Pradesh; and Bidri from Karnataka.
Prior to establishing Zola India, Gina was a media professional with over seven years of experience spanning across advertising, public relations and journalism. As a journalist she had the opportunity to work with publication houses in India including the Times of India, India Today and Incredible India! Her educational credentials include a Visual Communication degree from Loyola College, a PG Diploma in Arts Management from Dakshinachitra and a certificated program ‘Crafting Luxury and Lifestyle Businesses’ for IIM Ahmedabad.