Compact Off Black makeup bag in handwoven cotton, with a framed zip opening, black cotton lining and a colourful recycled sari zip pull.
The JALAJA handbag pouch in Off Black has a clever framed zip opening for easy access to your essentials. Handwoven from 100% cotton, this black makeup bag features a subtly textured, tonal finish and colourful recycled sari zip pull. With black cotton lining, it's perfect for organising makeup, accessories and little essentials at home or on the go.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS
- The handwoven 100% cotton fabric is sturdy yet soft, with a distinctive multitonal texture that changes subtly with the light.
- Compact in size yet surprisingly spacious when opened: the doctor's bag-style hinge makes it easy to see and reach the contents.
- A handy internal patch pocket fits small essentials like a packet of tablets, while the secure zip closure and black cotton lining add everyday practicality.
- The soft, dark and subtly tonal Off Black combines a warm-grey weft with contrasting black warp threads.
- A colourful zip pull made from repurposed sari fabric adds a unique finishing touch.
ABOUT THE COLOURWAY
Off Black is inspired by the dark ink used to print sacred mantras and prayers onto Tibetan prayer flags, gradually fading as the fabric weathers in the elements. Developed as a softer alternative to solid black, the darkest warm grey weft is woven with a black warp to create subtle tonal depth rather than a flat colour. Understated and practical, this sophisticated neutral has the versatility of black while retaining the texture and character of the handwoven cotton.
FIT & SIZING
L13.5xW14xD5cm.
HANDMADE IN NEPAL
Our cotton fabric is handwoven at Deepchand’s workshop in Bhaktapur, Nepal, where AURA QUE has been producing textiles for over fifteen years. The workshop provides flexible work for local women close to their homes, enabling them to earn an income around family commitments. The finished fabric is then stitched at a World Fair Trade Organization certified workshop in Kathmandu, which employs over 25 women, including several deaf artisans.
MATERIAL, CRAFT & NATURAL VARIATION
Our multitonal cotton fabric is handwoven using black warp threads and a natural undyed weft, then overdyed with azo-free dyes. This creates a distinctive two-tone texture that changes subtly with the light and helps disguise everyday marks. Each piece is lined with black cotton and finished with a zip pull made from a knot of repurposed sari fabric, carefully chosen in complementary colours to add a distinctive finishing touch.
MORE ABOUT THE ARTISAN PROCESS
- Weaving by hand: The fabric is handwoven using a sturdy two-pedal weave for bags and a more intricate four-pedal weave for smaller accessories. Natural undyed cotton weft creates a monochrome fabric, with subtle variations reflecting the handmade process.
- Dyeing the fabric: Controlled by a hand-wound handle, the woven fabric passes between rolls through a vat of azo-free dye, heated over a wood fire. To achieve the right depth of colour, it may be slowly wound back through the vat in the opposite direction, picking up more dye on its return journey.
- Cutting & stitching: After washing, the fabric is taken to our partner workshop in Kathmandu, where skilled artisans cut and stitch the fabric into each AURA QUE design, adding components such as linings, pockets, straps and fastenings as required.
- Adding the sari ties: Colourful recycled sari fabrics are carefully selected to complement the cotton base, with individual colours and patterns varying from piece to piece. Each fabric tie is stitched, then threaded through the zip pull and secured with a carefully tied knot and a final stitch.
A THOUGHTFUL, HANDMADE GIFT
A lovely gift for teenagers, makeup lovers or anyone who enjoys keeping their little essentials organised, our handwoven cotton pouches come in two practical sizes. With handy pockets and secure zip closures, they're as pretty on a dressing table as they are useful tucked into a handbag or desk drawer.
Would you like your order gift-wrapped and sent directly to someone special? Simply select gift wrap at the checkout or visit our gift wrapping information page to find out more.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Machine wash cool gentle. Do not tumble dry. Separate dark colours.
NEED HELP CHOOSING?
We make every effort to present our products accurately, but lighting, background, models and screen settings can affect how colours and sizes appear. If you have any questions about sizing, colour or suitability before ordering, please contact us. We are very happy to help you choose the right product and minimise the chance of a return.
