The Love Not Fear Origin Story
Love Not Fear was seeded in 2010, in the town of Pushkar during my second trip to India. I had fallen in love with Pushkar in 1997 — a sacred and holy town where the echo of ancient prayers and the tranquil rhythm of life moved my soul. Pushkar was not just a special place; it was a mirror, reflecting the parts of me that had longed to be seen.
Dance was my therapy
Since I was a young girl, all I ever wanted to do was dance. Though I didn’t study formally until my early 20s, the dance floor was my sanctuary throughout the mid-80s and 90s. House music was my heartbeat, and dancing made me feel so alive—but my soul longed for something deeper.
Drawn to different cultures, an echo of my nomadic soul, I discovered Egyptian Belly Dance in my 20s. It awakened a new language in my body and unlocked a forgotten rhythm within me — a sacredness my heart has been longing for. In my 30s, I then discovered and fell in love with Flamenco—the fire, the rhythm, the soul of this expression. Flamenco dance became my focused passion, my deepest expression, and my inner therapy.
After a decade of studying this powerful dance, I saw a film that traced Flamenco’s roots back to the Kalbalia Gypsies of Rajasthan. In that moment, something sparked within my soul. I could feel Mama India herself calling me back to her. And so, I returned—not just to dance, but to remember the ancient song my body had always known, to reclaim the sacred geometry of movement, and to weave my story into the tapestry of the Divine Feminine—little did I know that this return was to be seeded with the inspiration for Love Not Fear, our first dress, and the journey that would soon follow.
the heart always knows
While searching for Kalbelia dance, I stumbled upon the Shakti School of Dance in Pushkar. The moment I saw it, my heart burst open. My inner passion was reignited—I just knew I had to go. But what I found wasn’t Kalbelia; it was Odissi, a 2,000-year-old temple dance from eastern India, rich with devotion and a beautifully heartbreaking history.
Without hesitation, I applied and was soon accepted into the program. At 38 years old, I was back in India, but this time I was immersed in a three month intense dance training. The program was beautiful and intense—three classes a day, six days a week, but it was so deeply divine. My dancing soul was taken and transformed by this beautiful sacred dance. I never imagined how deep this journey would take me—until I surrendered to this sacred art that was always calling me home.
the creative spark is always there
Each day after morning class, I would sit with Mr. Radhey and eat my muesli and yogurt breakfast. He would sing devotional songs to Krishna as I would watch the bustling market unfold around us. I noticed people sourcing, creating, and crafting everywhere — I was in the land of textiles and tailors, a creators haven. A spark was lit and the seed was planted.
As a Leo, I always designed my own birthday dress each year, so why not here in this artisan land? That’s when I created my first collection — six years before Love Not Fear was born. I made 100 dresses from upcycled saris, handpicked each fabric, and crafted two maxi dress styles. When I brought them home, they sold out within two weeks. That’s when I knew — I was onto something. Being a lover of fashion and having my own unique taste and style, I was in the perfect place to turn my passion into something more.
I soon realized I wasn’t just creating clothes—I was weaving culture and stories. Each dress whispered the voice and power of the sacred feminine. And so, I stepped into my calling—not just as a designer, but as a storyteller, a bridge between worlds, and a vessel for beauty born from love.
durga the embodiment of love not fear
Fast forward to 2016 — my third journey to India, I returned to the Shakti School of Dance, but this time I went to India with a deeper purpose. I was ready to create a larger collection and officially launch this beautiful business. During this time, Durga, the Goddess of Strength and Protection, began appearing to me everywhere. I was facing some challenges in that first year, but Durga came to my aid in such a profound way. Durga truly embodies the essence of Love Not Fear — she is the remover of obstacles, the destroyer of fear, and she is the embodiment of divine love.
Durga has been an integral part of the Love Not Fear story and continues to be to this day. She is not just a symbol — she is a living force in my life and work. Her energy flows through every stitch, every design, and every message. She reminds me that true power is rooted in love, and in the gentle strength of presence.
As Love Not Fear grows, so does my relationship with Durga and all aspects of the Divine Feminine. She is the guardian of this movement, the heartbeat behind every creation. Her presence is woven into the fabric of everything that I do.
Love Not Fear was born from my unwavering commitment to follow my heart and passions.
It was my love for dance that led me to create this beautiful business. Now, 10 years in, we continue to grow, to expand, and to embody the essence of love over fear. We continue to grow alongside our beloved community in Pushkar, but this year marks a new chapter. We are expanding our collaborations to include artisans in Jaipur and a remarkable women’s collective in Jodhpur known as the Saheli Women.
Stay tuned for stunning new collections crafted by these talented female artisans. We are also introducing lines made from organic and natural fabrics, created from scratch by the hands of this community.
Love Not Fear is more than fashion. We are a movement of empowerment, sustainability, and love woven into every thread.
Thank you for being here. I hope you find your own embodiment, your own dance, your own way to live from love, not fear.