The Story Behind the Brand: Malabar Baby
As you all know by now, we only like to work with brands that are sustainable and good for the environment, while providing parents in the UAE with unique products their family will love. And so, the gorgeous Malabar Baby products fit right in with our ethos!
Creating stunning, hand-crafted and distinctive items for your little bubs, it’s time to get to know more about the story behind the brand.
The History
Named after the Malabar Hill neighbourhood of Mumbai where Founder, Anjali Harjani-Hardasani’s family comes from, the concept was born out of her desire to find sustainable, long-lasting and beautiful products for her baby. Having grown up in the US and later settling in Hong Kong, Anjali had searched high and low for such products when she was pregnant with her son, but always came up short. So, she decided to combine her love for artisanal block printing with her Indian roots to create the line of gorgeous baby products seen today in the Malabar Baby range.
Organic Indian Cotton
Their muslin swaddles, sleep suits and receiving blankets are all made from super soft and organic cotton from India, certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). But what does this actually mean? Well, as well containing a minimum of 95% organic fibres, the cotton threads are all grown without pesticides and insecticides, in healthy soil and using safe peroxides. This means that their pieces aren’t just soft to touch but are actually good for the environment and will be better for your little’s one’s precious skin.
On top of this, the Malabar Baby quilts all have natural cotton filling, making them hypoallergenic and breathable and helping to keep your child warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Perfect for us here in Dubai as we battle getting the AC temperature right all year round!
While nearly all the Malabar Baby products use organic cotton, some use bamboo instead, which is again a great friend of the environment. Plus, it’s approximately 40% more absorbent than cotton and has naturally antibacterial properties – perfect for the Luxe Bamboo Swaddles and the ,Luxe Bamboo Towels!
Natural Dyes
Have you ever thought about what goes into the dyes used in fabrics? Well, it’s a lot of nasties! But the Malabar Baby products continue their sustainability ethos by experimenting with chemical-free, natural dyes to make sure that your little one won’t be breathing in any bad toxins while using their products. Instead of using dyes with harsh pigments, the Malabar Baby team rely on vegetable and natural dyes in their products, such as turmeric and beetroot.
Handprinted patterns
The receiving blankets, quilts, loungewear and towels are all block printed by hand, using a technique that’s been passed on for generations in India. Originating in 12th century India, this unique printing method, known as Batik, is still practiced by artisans across the country today. With each print done by hand using wooden blocks, no pattern will ever be the same as the next, creating stunning and timeless pieces.
Another aspect that makes the patterns so unique is that many of the designs used on the Muslin Cloths come from hand painted designs that Founder Anjali paints herself, alongside a team of artists from India, Canada, Oregon and the Philippines. Now, if that isn’t adding a piece of your heart and soul to your brand, then we don’t know what is!
With a dedication to providing parents with designs steeped in history and beauty, while doing their part of the environment, Malabar Baby products are a firm favourite that will always be on our ‘must-have’ list!
