Kimberly Hartman, a Texas native, launched JADEtribe New York after an extended solo trip to India and South East Asia in the Fall of 2008. During her sojourn in Laos, standing in a weaving village surrounded by beautiful textiles, she had an “Aha Moment”. Captivated by the colors of the natural organic dyes coupled with the incredible weaving skills, resulting in remarkable textiles being create
d by the community of women…Kimberly was inspired to help them. “My idea was that if I could find someone in Laos to sew for me, I could create beautiful bags from these textiles to share with my network of women that owned fashion boutiques all over the world that I felt would appreciate them. Kimberly then traveled to Thailand to source hand embroidered textiles and the universe connected her with Pui, her production manager and together they grew a whole team of women to create the JADEtribe collection.
“I was really inspired to mix my experience in fashion, with my love for travel and the yogic principle of being of service.” Kimberly says. “The idea was a “slow” fashion brand, made sustainably, money was directly paid to the artisans who worked from their homes, so their lives and the lives of their family could improve with this income and purpose.”
The result of Kimberly’s expertise and inspiration was that JADEtribe New York, launched in February 2009, was an immediate success. The brand is adored by boutique buyers, fashion editors, celebrities, tastemakers and trendsetters alike. JADEtribe bags skyrockets into the best fashion boutiques and luxury resort hotels around the world quickly becoming a “must have” for holiday beach vacations. The brand is most known for being at the forefront of sustainable fashion accessories, setting trends with its iconic hand embroidered clutch with a tassel that jingles, colorful hand-woven beach bags that pack flat to travel and the recognizable hand-woven baskets with tassels and pom poms circa 2010. Each piece is crafted from handwoven textiles that are organically dyed, hand-embroidered, and upcycled—breathing new life into traditional materials. Kimberly’s innovative vision, paired with her commitment to sustainability, ensures that each bag tells a story of artisanal craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Collaborating directly with indigenous weavers and artisans from Thailand and Laos, JADEtribe blends timeless tradition with a modern, effortlessly stylish edge. This eco-conscious approach has solidified the brand's reputation as a leader in mindful luxury and feel good fashion. In 2021 Kimberly relocated to Austin, Texas after 24 years in New York. The JADEtribe Journey continues to create styles synonymous with laid-back elegance and global wanderlust. With Kimberly splitting her time between Texas, Thailand, and Ibiza, each collection reflects the vibrant energy and unique charm of these beloved destinations—making JADEtribe the go-to for women who seek beauty, sustainability, and a jet-setting lifestyle.
