our story
2009
How it all began
It all began with a volunteer service by our founder Jeanine, a gap year after graduating from high school at the NGO "Jyothi Seva Kendra" in the southern Indian town of Chittapur - and with a crazy idea that arose from her enthusiasm for the colors of Indian fabrics and her friendship with Halima. The idea was simple: Halima would get a group of women together who, like her, were urgently looking for a well-paid job, and together they would sew small accessories from the wonderful fabrics from the local market, which Jeanine would then sell in Germany.
2010
Easier said than done, because neither the women in India nor Jeanine had ever used a sewing machine - but where there's a will, there's a way (incidentally, that's our motto in general ;-)). So, little by little, the team developed the skills needed to sew the first pieces, such as pencil cases, scarves, small purses and pillowcases.
2014
And it worked. So well that Jeanine was able to start looking for the first team members in Germany in 2014. In Carolin she found the perfect partner for founding Jyoti - Fair Works UG and designing the first clothing collection.
2014 - 2015
As part of the first clothing collection and through our growing expertise in the field of fabric production and the origins of various materials, we decided to research and rebuild our value chain from scratch. We wanted to be able to ensure that the highest ecological and social standards were being followed everywhere. During months of train journeys across India, we learned a lot - about different weaving techniques, handicrafts and raw materials - and made valuable contacts that have developed into lasting partnerships to this day.
2016
Our value chain is in place. We have decided to source our materials exclusively from Indian artisans, NGOs and social enterprises and to specialize in woven fabrics to support the continued existence of local crafts. We are also setting up our second sewing workshop in collaboration with the Indian NGO Nava Chetana Kendra in Londa, Karnataka. What a year!
2017
We meet Mareike, who is still our cutting technician today (and hopefully forever), and together we take the step into retail – a big moment for you too, because since this year Jyoti products have been able to be found in many German cities and even abroad.
2019
After numerous attempts to find sustainable wool in India that meets our animal welfare standards, we made a bold decision. Enthusiastic about the quality, the sustainability arguments and the way the animals are treated, we ventured to a new continent and launched our first baby alpaca collection, hand-knitted in Peru.
2020
Covid is giving us a real headache, but instead of withdrawing, we are founding our Indian production company JFW INDIA LLP - together with our wonderful new managing director Sunandha in Hyderabad. In order to be able to produce for other brands, we are also opening our third Indian location there in collaboration with the Access Foundation.
2022
Thanks to you, we are doing well and are taking the step of opening our first own store in Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin. Starting this year, you can visit us four days a week in our "concept store for women*-led, sustainable labels", try on our collections and watch us at work.
and it goes on...
Together with you, we hope to continue writing history for many more years. Thank you for your ongoing support, your orders and your feedback, which motivates us every day!