Today we’d like to introduce you to Salma Korayem, founder of Be Bindaas
Hi Salma, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have a curious eye and passion for Indian & Turkish art and textiles. I was working as a preschool teacher in LA when I went on a volunteer trip to a school & orphanage in India one summer in 2010. Since it was summer, I quickly learned from the locals the best way to combat the insane heat was by wearing all 100% cotton from head to toe. The Fabric amazed me; not only was it the most natural cooling system, but the vibrant colors and patterns enchanted me. From then on, I would regularly bring home these pieces from my regular visits to Afroz, my best friend in India.
Afroz & her mom (Aunty Shafika) introduced to me to tailors & fabric shops in Mumbai & a dream started forming.
I would continuously get complimented on my pieces – these would regularly spark larger conversations about the deep root these fabrics hold to a larger meaning, they’re intensely tied to culture and way of life there which, as a fan of slow fashion, is something truly inspiring. The combination of many asks and lack of anything like them here, I decided to dip my toes in the water.
By the end of 2017, I began doing pop-ups at Silver Lake Farmers Market on Saturday, where I would bring various handmade pieces and textiles I would find on my travels.
By May 2022, I found and connected with the kindest family back in India, a small family business that’s been in their family for 3 generations (starting with their grandmother!); they source the 100% cotton from southern India, then send it to northern India to be block printed on the fabric. We started producing all our own textiles and clothing, with each piece made intentionally and slowly to ensure quality and tradition. Being able to use the enchanting, long tradition of block printing inspired by India’s mesmerizing Mughal floral motifs feeds my soul, truly.
I get to visit India 3x/year, getting to work and design with my family over there, allowing me to be able to be a part of the process for each piece made – every little step from start to finish. The family I work with feels like my own, we refer to each other as ‘brother and sister’, I get to travel, work and connect with so many amazing souls that hold stories and tradition, that I get to wind into the fabrics and designs of what we make at Be Bindaas.
It’s a true honor to co-create these timeless treasures where art, culture, and raw beauty weave together melodically. Owning this brand excites and inspires me every day, I get to be hands on and support both individuals and communities while sharing their culture, art, and our creations with people over here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say so far, the biggest challenge has been creating a website to offer our pieces… Because of my travels and influence, markets are my favorite place to be. So much of the drive behind my brand are the in-person connections and interactions I make. A website doesn’t give that personal experience; the fabrics and creations are meant to be felt and seen, but with my growing, I have been getting loads more questions about buying online – so it is in the works. It just has been hard to create until the demand has come recently. I don’t like to, nor believe in, mass production, which is another concern with selling online. I believe in slow, intentional fashion. To be honest, I just really love markets. The “circus” feeling of setting up & moving place to place satisfies my sense of wanderlust. It really does feel like a ‘traveling family’ of sorts with other vendors who do same markets around the coast. The people and other vendors emulate what I love back in South Asia: a connection and community to the product you sell. A true, supportive, intertwined, connected family.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve always loved color & Indigenous handicraft. I have always been a very visual and ‘in-person’ individual, I love and try to be as hands on as possible. Traveling to India frequently allows me to do this, particularly being as close with the family I work with over there as I am. These ‘Work trips’ feel far from that, getting to be creative with people I love, chatting, eating and trying out the local dishes, and designing new wares while holding true to tradition and culture fuels me. It is also rewarding to get to see first-hand the large impact creating and sharing these small-scale designs have on so many workers and communities over there. I think what sets me and Be Bindaas apart is that none of it is fueled by trends. Everybody involved is so insanely passionate about the product we produce, and it shows. The community and personal touch that runs through every cotton fiber in each design is evident in the quality and pride of this amazingly beautiful and unique brand I get to share.
We use everything we create as well; any leftover fabrics always gets made into something else,
No design or fabric gets wasted, any leftovers get re-visioned into bags, bandanas, scrunchies, or matching pouches. I truly believe in what we create, in celebrating and preserving Mother Earth’s breathtaking beauty, using only 100% sustainable cotton fibers, employing machine-free block printing traditions, and infusing each creation with a nature-focused aesthetic.
I try to constantly pour natural, way, and slow beauty into my life in any way I can, which is what Be Bindaas is all about.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’ve always loved color & Indigenous handicraft. I believe life imitates art from an early age. It’s funny looking back, from how I dressed when I was a kid to what my place looks like; it has always held the same vibe as the product I create. When I was younger, I used to always love making these make-believe ‘homes’ outdoors, setting up and creating houses for me and my friends to live in. One of the reasons I love markets is I feel transported back to being 10 years old – making these homes while setting up my space, getting to create a warm and inviting area to share my product and passion. It really does always come full circle, everything I do is for younger me – even when I don’t realize it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/Bindaas.arts
Image Credits
Clarissa Hughes
