The Square Table

Anjali Kumar

interview by Dina Di Maio

photo by Sloane Lucas

Your new line of handbags is called "tulci." What does that mean?

"TULCI" or "tulsi" is an auspicious plant that is used in Indian prayer ceremonies. The plant is associated with honor, virtue and steadfast loyalty. My name, Anjali, means an offering made during prayer. Such an offering would include the TULCI plant.

Your mother was an artist. What type of work did she do and how has she influenced your creations—or has she?

My mother was formally trained as an interior designer but for years has been a painter working in numerous mediums, including oils, watercolors and graphite. She greatly influences my line in that she is truly a woman of style and substance with a sharp eye for color, texture and design.

Did you train in design? How did you decide to start your own line of handbags? Did you leave law altogether?

I did not formally train in design. The line was something that grew organically out of a desire to create something beautiful and the need for a great bag—although when I think back, it is crazy to me that it has even come this far!

I was practicing corporate law in New York at the time, early 2001. Given the relatively uncreative nature of my work and having been raised in an artistic household, I was desperately seeking a creative outlet. I always loved fashion and design and decided to start designing handbags. And it sort of took off from there.

If I had known then how much work it would be, I don’t know if I would have ever gone through with it! I think my naiveté in approaching the whole thing went a long way.

I didn’t really leave law entirely. I did leave my old law firm about a year ago and began working for the Robin Hood Foundation in New York City (in addition to growing the line) where I use the skills I developed as a lawyer to assist our grant recipients.

How has Indian cinema inspired your line? Any other inspirations?

More than Indian cinema itself, the starlets of Indian cinema are the original inspiration for the line. These women were the style icons of my childhood. So I looked to them for inspiration in terms of what I could see them carrying now. These women, along with my fashionable friends, artistic mother and creative sister—who are all truly unique in their individual style—are incredibly inspirational as they all possess the qualities of having a strong sense of style and a unique approach to fashion. These women, along with me, are whom I design for.

For more info, check out www.tulci.com.