Jawaja Leather Association

We operate out of a spot on Ajmer Road, right there with Tikam Restaurant. It’s an interesting place to be because you can always smell the food from next door mixed with the very distinct scent of tanned leather. At Jawaja Leather Association, we work with a lot of local folks who have been doing this for generations. We don’t have a big corporate headquarters; it’s more of a community-centered space where we gather to handle the business side of the leather work. There are usually samples of hides and finished pieces scattered around the tables. Some of the leather is tough and some is soft, and we spend a lot of time checking the quality before anything gets sent out. It’s a bit noisy with the road traffic right outside, and people are always popping in and out to talk about the latest batch. We aren't trying to be a high-fashion brand or anything like that. We just care about the material and making sure the people who make it can get their work out there. The floors are a bit worn down and the furniture has seen better days, but it works for what we need. We drink a lot of tea while we argue over the prices or the stitching. It’s a very hands-on kind of environment where everyone knows everyone else. We just take it one day at a time.