Jaroi’s Story

Jaroi came to us after her pastor asked if she’d like to make face masks to help fight the shortage. She had just seen a news report of a nurse pleading for help, and she jumped at the opportunity to help the local community. When she introduced herself, I misunderstood her name, and called her Joy. The malaprop fit, though, as Jaroi ends every sentence with a laugh, bringing a positive energy to the studio that makes the lights shine a little brighter — “I like the things that sparkle!”

Jaroi was a seamstress and dress-maker in Myanmar for nearly two decades before moving to America. Her skill and experience were obvious, especially with regard to our leopard-print masks, which were harder to sew. The other stitchers avoided them, but she always asked to make them — “Why wouldn’t I? They’re more fun.” 

Her husband works two jobs, and she watched her children during the day and worked on the masks after they went to bed. I always worried about giving too much work, but she would always say, “Do not worry. You tell me what to do, I will do it.” 

After we started Madison Stitch, I mistakenly didn’t ask her if she wanted a job, thinking of her responsibilities at home. After we launched, she approached me, asking if she could work here and there designing new bags. “I want to be a designer!” I invited her to the studio on a trial basis to see what she could do. Her impact was immediate — she brought elegance, whimsy, and an even higher level of craft to the studio since she’s arrived, improving our designs and making them even better.

Her first bag design, the Lily Leather Bucket bag, brings together her elegant and whimsical design sense. Our full-grain leather surrounds a luxurious velvet interior and heart-shaped drawstrings to create a fun, sophisticated bag that, as Jaroi says, “opens like a flower!” We’re thankful to Jaroi for bringing her refined design sense to the studio. And, of course, for her joy.