Goa Designers Van Andel & Peace and FARA (huge giveaway!)

Last month I did a giveaway for a silk scarf from FARA, and you guys wanted it so badly that I had more than double the usual amount of entrants for the giveaway. So Merry Christmas early, because I asked them if we could do it again with their new line of scarves! They did a collaboration with a huge jewelry brand in Goa called Van Andel & Peace (sold at Cheshire Cat Gallery), and the scarf that came from that is just perfect for one of you!

BUT on top of that, Van Andel and Peace wanted to give away a Mala necklace with 108 fresh water pearls and 108 pink tourmalines ($150 USD value) alone with FARA’s Saraswati Silk scarf ($135 USD value). For this giveaway we’ll have ONE winner getting both luxury items. You lucky girl you ;)

You remember FARA was Fumie and Rachel’s Adventures, two chicks with major fashion backgrounds who live and work between Goa and London. They traveled India and put what they saw into hand-illustrated scarves painted by Fumie with traditional Japanese watercolor. You can read more about them in this post: FARA | India

FARA rachel and fumies adventures goa designers

Their new line for the season is available, and it doesn’t disappoint. So before I show you the scarves I’ll give you a little peak at some of the new clothing. There’s far more to see and they post updated shoots and new items on their Facebook page.

BOLO dress

Ghost dress

KANON dress

twist skirt

Whereas their last scarves were about places in India like the Goa scarf they gave to the lucky winner Amanda, the new ones “O My God & Godess” are all about the Gods. Based on a mixture of Hindu Gods and children’s fairytales, the combined their love of India and the Hindu culture as well as both being mothers to young girls who happen to be best friends (and adorable… on Instagram they post photos of the girls picking their little outfits out for the day, so cute).

Introducing the “O My God and Godess” silk scarf collection from FARA

The first intense scarf is Shiva and the Little Mermaid depicting Shiva, pirate ships, mermaids, jellyfish and an astrological chart.

Ganesh and Dumbo are the focus of the second scarf, and my favorite! Full of circus animals, hard boiled sweets, macaroons, the temple from Keri Beach.

Hanuman and the Jungle Book up next…all the animals from the famous India story, Balu the bear, Bagera the Leopard, the Orangutan, Snake, and Tiger are on this scarf.

The last scarf, Saraswati is where the collaboration comes into play (okay, maybe this one is my favorite!). Saraswati and the Princess and the frog; a pond of carp fish, lily pads and jewels float (Van Andel and Peace jewels), king fishers fly around Saraswati the Goddess of Creativity. This is the scarf you will win.

Find FARA @ FARA Boutique in Arambol, Goa, Saturday market in Arpora, Goa and Second Floow Studios in New Delhi or shop online at their Etsy shop. Be sure to follow FARA on facebook and instagram. For inquiries email rachel@faraboutique.com.

FARA and Van Andel & Peace Collaboration

So how do FARA and Van Andel & Peace come together?

“Rachel came to visit us one day for a design for her engagement ring, and immediately it clicked between us. Later her man came and bought the beautiful ruby lite seaflower design and so started a relationship both personal and professional.”

It was two years ago on Valentines day her boyfriend proposed to her with a Van Andel and Peace Ring made from Rubies (her daughters birth stone). This was the start of the love affair with Cheshire Cat Gallery, and of course, a marriage!

FARA rachel and fumies adventures goa designers van adnel and peace

“Since then we have visited the gallery in Assagao and the stall at the Saturday Night Market a few times and treat ourselves with a piece here and there. We both own Malas made by Cheshire Cat Gallery.” -Rachel

When they started drawing the Saraswati scarf, they knew they wanted to incorporate jewelry from the designs of Van Andel & Peace, which were perfect for the scarf design. The stamp of the “royal touch” was given to each piece and they loved that the designs are for “women with a strong sense of individuality and style”.

The Luxury of Van Andel & Peace @ Cheshire Cat Gallery

I live only a short drive from Cheshire Cat Gallery and have known of it even before I moved to Goa. It’s very famous and everyone who comes here on vacation comes to the gallery to buy their jewelry. The Gallery carries their own designs and also some other things like hand-woven clothing, silk shawls, candles, jewelry from other designers, and more.

Kees van Andel and Karen Peace met in the 80’s in Amsterdam, but now live in Goa after traveling India all through the 90’s on spiritual and trekking journey, and falling in love with it. They discovered the wealth of precious stones to be found in dusky bazaars and exciting jewelry alleys in Jaipur. They met gemstones dealers who they still buy their exclusive gems from today. The move to Goa from Jaipur was easy for them as they craved the freedom and nature of the Goa paradise.

“We never looked back. Now we’re employing a team of local women whom we have trained in both sales and design processes, and Kees now works with the same 4 goldsmiths in his atelier who have been with us for last 6 years. All these people have become family to us; now part of the family that we call Cheshire Cat Gallery, evolved into a household name in Goa.” -Karen

They use 22 ct. gold, sterling silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires selected carefully looking at the clarity and and color. As you can see, their designs are detailed and have amazing jewels in them. Kees does the design work with a goldsmith- he studied design at Rotterdam’s College of Fine Arts. Karen works the sales end and runs the gallery- she went to school for marketing and fashion in Amsterdam. Their designs are a mixture of ethnic Indian and classic Victorian.

Kees and Karen are going to be at the International Jewelry Show at Olympia in London in September and are working on a new collection. So, if you’re lucky enough to live in London, you can check them out! If you’re in Goa you can actually work together with them to make a personalized piece like Rachel’s boyfriend did.

Cheshire Cat Gallery is in a cute old Portuguese house in Assagao, just down the road from Villa Blanche, off Anjuna-Mapusa Main road where you can shop in person. You can shop via their website (map with directions and phone numbers there), check out the Van Andel & Peace FB page, and the Cheshire Cat Gallery FB page.

Enter to win the Saraswati scarf & Mala necklace!

The pink tourmaline is the stone for unconditional love and the pearls are for purity.

Like usual, I am doing this giveaway through rafflecopter. Just follow the instructions below and do know that I go and check that you actually “like” or do the activity listed. If you already “like” these girls, then just hit enter and you’re golden.

The giveaway will listed for 7 days, shipping is international, giveaway is open to everyone, the value of the scarf is $135 and the necklace is.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments or by sharing it with the social media links! I’d love to keep giving you travel tricks & tips so feel free to subscribe by e-mail in the big purple box below. Don’t forget you can follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram & bloglovin‘.

2016-10-13T10:01:33-04:00

About the Author: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones left a career in nursing and lived on the beaches of Goa, India for the five years. Now she lives in Mexico where she gives advice on the 40+ countries she’s visited in the last 10 years. She’s the author of two India travel e-books: Guide to India and Insider’s Guide to Goa. Her blog, Hippie in Heels, like its name, is a contradiction combining off-beat adventurous places with glamorous and bespoke travel. Hippie in Heels has been featured in ELLE, Marie Claire, Grazia, and Cosmopolitan magazines. She’s a writer for Bravo TV.

33 Comments

Emma | banquetsandbackpacks March 12, 2015 at 1:51 pm - Reply

Those scarves are gorgeous!
Amanda March 12, 2015 at 5:32 pm - Reply

I won’t enter this one so someone else has a chance, but I wanted to comment and say that my scarf is so beautiful and such high quality! I love it.

Also, I want that BOLO dress. This is one time I’m cursing myself for being a poor writer.
Angela March 12, 2015 at 8:30 pm - Reply

Beautiful stuff. If I ever make it to Goa I will definitely check them both out.
Elen March 12, 2015 at 8:44 pm - Reply

Those gods and goddesses scarves are amazing! Will just have to buy one if I don’t win :)
Mariellen Ward March 12, 2015 at 9:14 pm - Reply

These are gorgeous items and I like the spiritual connection. As a writer, Saraswati is my Goddess :) And as a yogi, I am well aware of the magic number 108. Great giveaway!
Lisa Williford March 12, 2015 at 9:35 pm - Reply

Gorgeous scarf and mala! Even if I’m not lucky enough to win it – I’m sure it will go to a good home!
Amazing Events March 12, 2015 at 9:56 pm - Reply

I never win anything, but couldn’t resist this!
Kasia March 12, 2015 at 10:39 pm - Reply

The scarves are so beautiful, and I love how the pattern falls when you wrap one around your neck!
Kate M March 12, 2015 at 11:35 pm - Reply

It’s all about the colours for me. Those colours are so delicate and yet still vivid. Ah, love it.
Justine March 13, 2015 at 7:46 am - Reply

These scarves are gorgeous, but I have to say I love all of the clothing. I seriously want to buy each and every piece you’ve shown here. Such cool stuff!
Carole March 13, 2015 at 9:26 am - Reply

Fingers crossed for this beautiful accessories..thank u hippie in heels!..
Dean Osborne March 13, 2015 at 9:33 am - Reply

These pieces are so incredibly beautiful it’s just mind blowing!
I’m so happy I found out about this giveaway because I am now a huge fan of the line!
Szabina March 13, 2015 at 2:26 pm - Reply

Beautiful scarves, I totally fall in love with them!
Natalie Spiteri March 13, 2015 at 2:56 pm - Reply

amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arykah March 13, 2015 at 5:47 pm - Reply

I am so lovin all of your designer post’s over the last year! It was because of you, I even noticed Netti’s Naturals one night on the back of a bike lol (and thank goodness, cuz my allergies were killin me and I needed Bragg’s Apple Cider so bad!) and then 2 days ago, driving from some random who knows where beach, I saw the TIA store! Absolutely beautifully displayed in the article and I loved each of their personal stories! I am most definitely planning a custom engagement ring and this is the place to do it!
Petra Kos March 13, 2015 at 7:04 pm - Reply

It’s so beautiful, I love it! :)
Foreign Loren March 13, 2015 at 10:37 pm - Reply

Love this giveaway! I’m a huge fan of scarves and pearls…and, when they come from Goa designers that’s a definite plus. I only had a couple days in Goa last fall and hope to be back again soon!
Stacy March 14, 2015 at 12:59 am - Reply

Those colors are absolutely dreamy!
Katelyn @ Diaries of a Wandering Lobster March 14, 2015 at 4:58 am - Reply

Wow, Goa has a lot of amazing fashion designers! Love the colorful scarves!
Elysia March 14, 2015 at 12:07 pm - Reply

I would love to win these beautiful things I adore Cheshire cat and fara and an always drooling over their items at villa blanche!
Erin | No Ordinary Nomad March 14, 2015 at 1:46 pm - Reply

Beautiful stuff! I want all of these scarves!
meg wilkinson March 14, 2015 at 3:54 pm - Reply

I love Fara’s new scarf collection their designs are so beautiful, and the jewellery, wow next trip to India will defiantly have to include a trip to GOA.
Japnit Sahni March 14, 2015 at 10:17 pm - Reply

Omg ! that scarf is GORGEOUS
totally digging it
Carolsue March 15, 2015 at 4:34 am - Reply

It’s beautiful! I love the colors in it and the design, too.
va March 16, 2015 at 1:25 am - Reply

i think it is very calming and creative to look at .
Jenny March 16, 2015 at 7:12 pm - Reply

The scarves are amazing, especially the Cheshire Cat. I am definitely going to look them up when I go to Goa next month!!
Laura March 16, 2015 at 8:16 pm - Reply

Those scarves are so beautiful! I also really want one of those rings, they are gorgeous.
Renee Garland March 16, 2015 at 8:27 pm - Reply

Love Love Love! Fara is endlessly talented! To think all of their designs are hand drawn… amazing! …Waiting for a Van Andel and Peace engagement ring please!
Tabea Seraphina March 17, 2015 at 12:58 am - Reply

Beautiful scarf & necklace :)
divya saxena March 17, 2015 at 3:27 am - Reply

Perfect for goa lovin’ hippies! Who can then carry a piece of goa where ever they wander…
Katie Huish March 17, 2015 at 3:53 am - Reply

Literally in love with theses gorgeous scarves!! Fingers crossed.
Marina March 18, 2015 at 1:24 pm - Reply

Hello! The scarves are absolutely gorgeous, and very quirky, I love them! And the jewelry is gorgeous, the personalized engagement ring is beautiful! Fingers crossed!!