Meet Poonam Thimmaiah | Jewelry Designer & Founder, Maalicious Jewelry

We had the good fortune of connecting with Poonam Thimmaiah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Poonam, what role has risk played in your life or career?

Taking risks has always been an intrinsic part of my journey. Whether it was the decision to leave my hometown in India at the age of 23 to pursue studies in America or to step away from a lucrative position at JP Morgan to venture into the world of jewelry design with no prior qualifications or experience in the field: I’ve always been driven by the belief that life is meant to be lived to the fullest.
I subscribe to the notion that we only have one life, and to truly experience it one must be forever be exploring various avenues. Even while working at my six figure corporate job, I actively pursued diverse interests. These ranged from engaging with NGOs to delving into styling, photography, and even the art of coffee roasting. My educational background reflects a similar spirit of exploration, transitioning from civil engineering in my undergraduate studies to environmental engineering for my master’s degree, eventually finding myself in the tech sector, serving financial giants like Barclays and JP Morgan.
However, it was through the pursuit of jewelry designing that I discovered my true passion and purpose, my “ikigai”. Each endeavor, whether successful or not, has contributed to my personal growth and provided invaluable exposure to worlds previously unknown to me.

In essence, taking risks has been instrumental in my journey of self-discovery and growth. While not every venture may yield the desired outcome, embracing risks is the only path to genuine learning and development. So, my advice to anyone seeking growth and fulfillment: dare to explore, take risks, and embrace the journey of discovery.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Maalicious Jewelry provides a platform for women artisans around the world to create statement jewelry that’s steeped in culture. Our roots trace back to the rich heritage of Indian craftsmanship, where we actively contribute to the revival of traditional art forms. Inspired by art, travel, and the essence of womanhood, we take pride in preserving age-old techniques and embody the ethos of slow, conscious fashion.

Maalicious was born as a pet project conceived at my home in New York while mending a broken heart caused by a miscarriage in my 36th week of pregnancy. As they say I took my broken heart and turned it into art and this kept me going during those dark times. A lot of research, learning, sweat and blood later, we’ve grown into what Maalicious is today. We have had some amazing moments in the last few years including being featured in British Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR Thailand and more. We have showcased our jewelry in New York fashion week and Paris fashion week.

Meticulously crafted and engineered to last a lifetime, our jewelry reflects our commitment to quality. Designed in New York City and hand crafted in India, all our pieces are 24K gold plated. Our materials are ethically sourced, and we prioritize sustainability by incorporating elements like clay, silk, wood, and other sustainable materials into some of our pieces

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you’re visiting New York City, you’re in for a treat! NYC is brimming with top-notch restaurants and exhilarating experiences. Some of my personal favorites include Beauty & Essex, Fish Cheeks, Hav & Mar, SoothR, Roscioli and Baar Baar. I would definitely take them on a leisurely stroll through Central Park, explore the elevated High Line park, walk across the Brooklyn bridge, admire masterpieces at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and ancient history at the Moma, and enjoy a scenic sunset cruise around the Statue of Liberty. For a unique and immersive theatrical experience, would definitely want her to catch shows like Sleep No More or Drunk Shakespeare. And of course, no visit to the Big Apple would be complete without experiencing the magic of a Broadway show! If we’re talking late night, the Box or the Slipper room!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
At Maalicious, our core mission revolves around empowering and championing women. Our journey wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable contributions of our women artisans. While our primary focus has been collaborating with talented artisans from India, we’ve also had enriching partnerships with artisans from Ukraine and Italy. Their dedication is instrumental in preserving and nurturing traditional art forms, for which we are immensely grateful.

Moreover, I am grateful to all my advisors and mentors who have played a pivotal role in steering me in the right direction. Whether its for Maalicious or just my personal life, their guidance has been invaluable in shaping my vision and strategy.

Website: https://maalicious.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maaliciousjewelry/