It All Began in India

2017.
I landed in Mysore.
I came seeking alignment, yoga, and a sense of reconnection. What I found was so much more.
I discovered a vibrant country, life-changing encounters, and generations of craftsmanship passed down through time. A world where artisanal skills are deeply woven into everyday life, and where every object carries a story.

2021.
A few years later, I returned to India with a new perspective and a clear conviction: the bags I saw carried by women and men—on bustling streets, in markets, villages, and cities—deserved to travel beyond their borders.

I began meeting artisans, families, and workshops. They shared their stories, their techniques, their instinctive way of working with color and materials. I was immediately captivated.

Summer 2021.
I returned to Marseille with a handful of bags in my suitcase. The response was immediate. People loved them. The enthusiasm was undeniable, and one thing became clear: I wanted to create my own brand.

MOKA is a combination of my first and last name: Monika Karapetian.
I grew up in Marseille with Armenian roots that instilled in me a love of storytelling, travel, and cultural transmission. After more than two years spent exploring the world, I found in India an endless source of inspiration, creativity, and connection.

Today, MOKA is the result of that journey.
A brand born from meaningful encounters, a love of travel, and a desire to celebrate authentic craftsmanship.
At its heart, MOKA is about sharing the beauty of handmade work and creating connections between people, cultures, and places that might otherwise never meet.

I've always been fascinated by the patience, skill, and care behind handmade objects. The time they require, the stories they carry, and the generations of knowledge woven into every piece.
In a world where so many things are made to be replaced, I'm drawn to objects that stay with us. The ones we take on our travels, carry through different chapters of life, and hold onto for years because they become part of our story.

I also believe in making more conscious choices, while still embracing color, beauty, and joy in everyday life.
My hope is that these creations bring a sense of adventure to your daily life, add a little color to your world, and accompany you on many journeys of your own.

Above all, I am deeply grateful to every artisan, customer, friend, and supporter who has helped make this adventure possible.
Thank you for being part of the story.

Monika, founder