Teya
Kepila

Teya Kepila is a Brooklyn-based ceramic artist. Her work is inspired by her Indian heritage, encouraging a return to slowness and mindful living. She is the founder of The Turmeric Times, an online store that doubles as a social media handle, where she promotes her art and lifestyle to an audience of about half a million on Instagram. Kepila's ceramics, such as coffee mugs and wine cups, have been featured in Vogue and Goop, and she has partnered with brands like Dior, La Mer, Hilton, David Yurman, Aesop, and Nike.

As a ceramicist, her hands are her livelihood, which means hand care isn't optional. She decants her hand cream into Jade Capsules and keeps them exactly where she needs them: on her nightstand, in her bag, by the studio sink.

The morning starts with lighting incense. Then the ritual of getting ready: skincare, makeup, hair. For Teya, hair care isn't something to rush through. Wash day really is a day – spacing out washes, letting the process be slow and intentional.

“I find that spacing out my washes is best for my hair. I'm still learning and picking up tidbits from other curly haired friends. Over the years it's become increasingly more important to let this hair ritual be slow and meaningful.” - Teya

Coffee and journaling come next, the kind of quiet that creates space before the day begins pulling her in different directions.

Before heading out, she takes her favorite jewelry out of her Capsules to adorn her fingers. Then a walk through the neighborhood, maybe a stop at the farmer's market, coffee with a friend. For her, these are the rituals that make a day feel grounded and provide her with the space to create.