Meet the Artist

Karisma A.

Art has always been my safe place. But henna? Henna became my language.

My story begins with a vivid memory from my childhood in Mauritius. I was about eleven, sitting on the sun-warmed steps in my grandmother's yard, watching my aunt’s skilled hands adorn mine with henna. I was completely mesmerised. It wasn’t just the beautiful stain that captivated me, but the entire process—the concentration, the graceful flow of the cone, the shared moment of creation. That spark of fascination never left me.

When I moved to the UK in 2008, finding a henna artist for special occasions like Diwali was a challenge. That childhood memory motivated me, and at 16, I made a trip to Southall to buy my first ‘emergency’ henna cone. It had a strong, chemical smell, but with the naïve confidence of a teenager who got an A in Art, I thought, "I can draw, how difficult can it be?" I began practising, replicating traditional designs from the internet. My early attempts were a testament to passion over perfection, and looking back, they make me smile.

For years, henna was my personal ritual, a hidden joy shared with my aunties and cousins for Eid and other celebrations. But the 2020 lockdown became a turning point. With the fierce encouragement of my friend Nardia, I found the courage to take a professional leap. I committed to honing my craft, transitioning from synthetic cones to natural henna. I practised on paper and a silicone hand for hours, from morning till evening, gradually refining my lines until my hand felt steady and my confidence grew.

That steady hand people often compliment me on? It doesn’t come from innate talent, but from countless hours of practice and a deep-seated pride in my work. It comes from believing in the journey.

And that is the heart of my mission today: to empower women to learn this beautiful art, and to adorn them for their most cherished moments.

I want to show every aspiring artist that the woman with the steady hand once had shaky first lines. That everyone starts somewhere, and that ‘somewhere’ doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be a start.

For my brides, this same dedication is my promise to you. I understand that the art you wear on your wedding day is more than just decoration; it is a part of your story, a symbol of love, celebration, and heritage. I pour the same passion, care, and attention to detail into creating your bridal henna as I did when I was first learning my craft, ensuring you feel truly seen and beautifully adorned.

Through my forthcoming courses and this community, I am dedicated to creating a space where we can learn, grow, and be adorned in art, together. This is more than a business; it’s a commitment to sharing this beautiful heritage with the world.