Journey through Afghanistan
Travel through Afghanistan’s diverse landscapes to discover where we source our objects and meet some artisans along the way.
Kabul
The vibrant capital of Kabul is our heart and home in Afghanistan, serving as our base of operations where we design and co-create with many of our artisan partners. Nestled at the center of a triangular valley, Kabul is surrounded by a hug of mountains. Flying over their craggy peaks before descending into the city is an unforgettable sight. Over the years, the city has steadily expanded, drawing people from all corners of Afghanistan to form a cultural and ethnic melting pot. Situated at the crossroads between western and eastern Asia, Kabul boasts a rich history that stretches back nearly 3,500 years.
Discover artisans & objects from Kabul
Bamyan
On the road to Bamyan, the rugged, snow-dappled mountains of the Hindu Kush give way to bucolic scenes in the valley below. Caves, hewn into the cliffside, where Buddhist monks once retreated to mediate, resemble honeycomb when viewed from a distance. In the central highlands of Afghanistan, Bamiyan province boasts a rich cultural heritage and an array of archeological wonders. Roughly 240 kilometers west of Kabul, Bamiyan city sits at lofty 2,550 meters above sea level, deserving its moniker, “roof of the world” or “place of shining light.
Discover artisans & objects from Bamyan
Herat
The azure blue tiles of Herat’s Friday Mosque gleam in the fading afternoon light as the call to prayer rings out over the marbled courtyard below. The oasis city of Herat serves as the capital of Afghanistan’s westernmost province and the birthplace of heritage glassblowing. Many a conqueror has laid claim to these lush and fertile lands. Alexander the Great once swept through the region, building a fortified citadel which, more than 2,000 years later, still stands as a sentinel over the valley. Under the Timurid Empire, Herat became the fulcrum of the Timurid Renaissance, a period of Islamic artistic and cultural revival. Herat remains an important cultural center, the legacy of its rulers evident in the colorful minarets and domes which dot its skyline.
Discover artisans & objects from Herat
