Is that green animal print? Leaves? An abstract image? The MAYURA signature green and black pattern has become something of a Rorschach test, and I kind of love that.
We launch in October. (Waitlist here for early access. I am not automatically signing up subscribers there because hey, you may just be here for the pod content, and I have respect for your inbox. So drop your email there if you want first dibs.)
I am inspired by things that are vibrant and linger in your mind. This letter will pull back the curtain on just one small part of the design process: what this green and black pattern even is, and how we got here.
There were many, many iterations before we got here. I’ll share more about the rest of the branding journey after the packaging reveal.
The inspiration for this winning design: an orchid. A flower with such striking spots and colorways that it is unmistakable.
The name MAYURA is Sanskrit for peacock. I believe curly hair is distinctive and captivating. And I wanted our signature color to nod to that origin story and ethos.
We paired this shade of green with the spotted design in early iterations.
If you look closely at the spots in the next photo, you will notice a resemblance.
The final version of our artwork evolved the initial orchid spots to mirror a darkened, faded out feather-like shape at times.
If you know, you know. I think the Rorschach test is fun too, though.
The full packaging reveal is just a few weeks away. If you’re not already following MAYURA on Instagram, would you please?
Pod Check-in
We’re now at 21 episodes. In about a month, it’ll be the one-year anniversary of the We Are Spiraling trailer drop.
I have so many story ideas for upcoming episodes that we could fill all our slots for next year. And that list doesn’t even include guest interview requests.
There is one episode I want to flag for you, if you haven’t gotten a chance to check it out yet. It sits in the middle of the popularity chart, but is one of my favorite so far, and it embodies the philosophy behind the entire show.
We speak with two Native American hair artists about the indigenous philosophy that hair is an extension of your spirit and energy. John Parker works on Hollywood films and television shows, and brought that ethos into hair design for Killers Of The Flower Moon – a story he is personally connected to, as we reveal in the episode. Selina McManus educates on “decolonizing” hair at her Oakland salon.
Let me know what you think.
Talk soon!
Priya