Esther, the founder of I Am Jai, has been running her business for over 20 years. She started her own jewellery business that has since grown quite a bit.  She traveled to India five years after starting and fell in love with the craftsmanship there. Now, she visits India multiple times a year to create new collections, working closely with artisans specializing in stone and silver. Her jewelry blends stone and brass, with each piece designed, sourced, and cut specifically. The relationships she has built over the years have turned into a kind of family, working together to bring her designs to life.

Beyond jewelry, Esther expanded into garments five years ago, creating a collection using existing fabrics to minimize waste. Each piece—both jewelry and clothing—is unique, produced in small batches or made to order, embracing slow fashion and conscious design.

A part of Contact for nearly five years, she appreciates the community, finding inspiration in the like-minded creatives around her. Despite the small team of I Am Jai, the spaces allows her to feel connected to something bigger, through sharing time and idea together.

Currently, she is working ahead, as is the nature of the fashion industry. Designs for the winter collection are in progress, soon to be sent to India for prototyping. She is also preparing for another trip to India, seeking new stones and materials for upcoming pieces.

The inspiration shifts depending on the project—fashion trends often guide the creative direction, while the stones themselves dictate what is possible. In general, ideas come from everywhere, through always observing and absorbing the world around.

One of her most unforgettable moments was when The Queen of the Netherlands wore a pair of I Am Jai earrings. The team only found out by chance but was thrilled and humbled by the unexpected recognition—a  very proud moment for the company.