Interior designer Purvi Padia is giving back with Project Lion, a humanitarian effort that marries her professional life and personal passions.
INTERIOR DESIGNER PURVI PADIA has a lot to celebrate. This year marks her eponymous firm’s 10-year anniversary, and she has recently taken a successful leap into humanitarian work with Project Lion.
As a first generation Indian-American, Padia recognized that she had access to opportunities unavailable to many, especially in her parents’ country of origin. “Everything that I’ve done in life has been informed by this first generation hard-working mentality, never forgetting what my roots are and where I come from,” says Padia.
Growing up, she made frequent trips to India with her family, where she quickly became aware of her privileges. She recalls seeing children on the street who had not eaten for days. “I could not reconcile why those children who looked exactly like me had such different lives.” As an adult she knew she wanted to help, so she contacted government-run orphanages, intending to provide donations and assistance. Instead, she was met with a lack of transparency.
After years of feeling powerless, Padia had her light bulb moment. She was inspired by the movie Lion based on Saroo Brierley’s memoir, A Long Way Home, a true story about a young boy’s journey from Australia to India to find his lost family. She began speaking with humanitarian aid organizations. She connected with UNICEF and founded Project Lion to address the issue of displaced orphans in India. “Together with UNICEF, we came up with a three year plan to serve the first 200,000 of these 1.5 million orphans,” she said.
Today, Padia and UNICEF are actively working together in order to not only ensure that these children are given access to sanitation, healthcare, education, and nutrition, but also that they are guaranteed human rights. UNICEF is working closely with the Indian government in order to train social workers, as well as to institute practices and regulations that ensure care for future generations of at-risk children.
Project Lion launched this May at the Highline Hotel, hosted by Sienna Miller and Jenna Bush Hager, and raised over $850,000 for the initiative. Padia, in collaboration with Aguirre Design, created the Sinha (Lioness) Bowl, a limited-edition, hand-forged brass, footed bowl that embodies Indian design. The bowl is available on her website and 30 percent of the proceeds will go directly to Project Lion.
As Padia gears up for her first field visit to India this fall, her kids are begging to tag along. “It’s very important for children to understand that as humans we have this obligation to help the rest of humanity whenever we can, and to show empathy and compassion,” said Padia.
As for the future of this project, Padia has big plans, including design events coinciding with Indian holidays to raise awareness. While this humanitarian effort is an international one, Padia’s passion has found a home downtown.
Entrepreneur Sterling McDavid, CEO of The Starling Project, hosted the first of many “Starling Supper” events on last week at Kola House. The event provided a forum to discuss the benefits of solar energy and collective action.
Victoria’s Secret model (and founder of Project TseHigh) Grace Mahary, another solar energy advocate, co-hosted the event with McDavid. Guests had to leave their phones at the door, experiencing a candlelit dinner — lit by Starling Project Candles — illustrating the power of light and the amazing work people can do when they come together. In a time of uncertainty, coming together in favor of the greater good has never been more relevant.
“It was incredibly special having so many accomplished, passionate women in one room for the first ever Starling Supper on the eve of International Women’s Day,” began Sterling when talking to Downtown. “Everyone experienced firsthand the power of collective action, which is what The Starling Project truly stands for. We discussed the unique solutions solar energy can provide to women and children in rural communities around the world. It was an intimate, candle-lit evening filled with inspiring conversation.”
A photo from the first Starling Supper
When asked what she has coming up besides her Starling Suppers, Sterling had plenty to say: “I am thrilled to introduce a new scent to the Starling Project candle collection that launched this month: Hyacinth + Bamboo. This scent is particularly meaningful as it was inspired by my first UNICEF field visit to Vietnam. After witnessing all that solar energy can do on that trip, I ultimately left my job on Wall Street and set out on a mission to start a socially conscious brand that would benefit the solar energy cause.”
She had more to say about the new scented candle: “The Hyacinth + Bamboo candle features the fresh notes of the flowering bamboo plant, which is native to the Asian landscape.” As the sale of each Starling Candle will help provide solar energy to an under-resourced community, The Starling Project recently gave over $100,000 to UNICEF to provide solar energy to rural communities in Chad. She continued: “The new project will provide solar energy to hospitals in Rwanda where reliable power sources are critical for the storage of lifesaving vaccines and supplies. I feel particularly connected to Rwanda having visited the country with UNICEF a few months ago and I look forward to witnessing the benefit we will make on this incredible part of the world.”
To further promote sustainability and women’s empowerment, Sterling and Grace also wore clothing by Symbology, a sustainable clothing label that empowers women artisans worldwide. To continue to raise awareness for the solar cause, Starling Suppers will be replicated later this year by several additional influences such as Tina Craig and Jessie Della Femina.
For the outdoorsy friend who could use a little light…
…and likes to light up the lives of others, Luci Light is a lightweight, waterproof and completely solar light that’s perfect for camping and traveling with sustainable style. Every Luci light weighs 4.4 ounces or less and is fully collapsible, so it goes where you go.
More importantly, they’re on a mission to help deliver clean solar light to areas all over the world without access to electricity, so it’s a gift that gives back. They bring light to areas in the world without access to electricity, so kids can do their homework after dark, business can stay open later, and health clinics can stay open without having to rely on toxic and expensive kerosene.
Based in Chelsea, the company worked closely with people to help rebuild on the Lower East Side after Hurricane Sandy.
If you’re more of an indoor girl, bring it into the tub with you—it’s totally safe, and waterproof—or use them to have a fun “camping trip” in the living room with your beau, or your kiddos.
For the active friend who’s actively passionate about empowerment….
JUJA Active Mission Tanks: Courage and Self Love help women who have overcome adversity find peace of mind while they find their new beginnings. These tanks fund a yoga program for survivors of domestic and gender violence with the downtown based non-profit organization Sanctuary For Families.
“Sanctuary supports women leaving abusive situations and helps empower them to support themselves and their families away from those situations. Empowering women is the essence of our brand and our social mission and so Sanctuary’s work resonates with us,” said Jen Russo, Founder of JUJA.
For the friend who’s naughty and nice…
….and cares about both the environment and women’s rights, we’ve got you covered.
Sustain Natural is the first brand of non-toxic and all natural sexual wellness products, including condoms, lubricant and post play wipes, marketed to women. Through their 10%4Women program, Sustain donates 10% of their profits to organizations that provide reproductive health and family planning services to low income women, like Planned Parenthood. This year, for Cyber Monday, Sustain donated 100% of their online sales to Planned Parenthood–honoring their commitment to women’s health and reproductive rights.
Contained within a cute pouch that says “unzip me” can be lavender scented lubricant or…well, see for yourself.
Sustain’s founder works out of the Financial District, and the goods can be picked up at the Health & Harmony (470 Hudson St.), American Two Shot (135 Grand St.), and at Whole Foods (Bowery and Tribeca).
For the mom with a big heart…
West Village-based Giggle at has a strong give-back mission.
For every set of these Hape 30th Anniversary Blocks purchased, a set is donated to a child in need in Afghanistan, Syria, Nepal, China, Zimbabwe. One block in the set has a code for consumers to trace where in the world a child has received a new toys
For every FEED Liberty of London Diaper Bag you buy, a mother and child will be supplied with 1 micronutrients for one year. Micronutrient deficiency can negatively impact the mental development and learning ability of children and weaken their resistance to infection, so the powder that FEED provides can be used in-home to help boost children’s vitamin and nutrient deficiencies.
And this Kinderfeets Bamboo Balance Bike is made of sustainable, eco-friendly bamboo that supports developing country economies through its production. Bonus: Kinderfeets will plant a tree for every model sold.
For the visionary…..
Article One Eyewear donates a portion of every sale to Helen Keller International. Their optical and sunglasses frames can be found at several boutiques downtown, including Petite Optique and Anthony Aiden Optometry.
Recently, the Flint Collection was launched with 100% of the proceeds going to support the children affected by the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Each frame is made with only the finest Mazzucchelli acetate by a family-owned factory in Northern Italy, and the company was founded with the goal of raising awareness and funding for vitamin A supplementation, as 1 million children die or go blind from this deficiency every year.
Proceeds from every Article One sale contribute to the Helen Keller International, to help the distribution of vitamin A supplements worldwide.
For the Spiritualist…
As if you actually needed an excuse to stock up on more ALEX AND ANI bangles, their charitable mission provides just one more. CHARITY BY DESIGN was created in February of 2011 to spread the ALEX AND ANI ideal of sharing positive energy worldwide. This collection and division ignites passion for the wellbeing of our planet, our communities, and our individual paths. Total Donations Given Back from CHARITY BY DESIGN since 2011 totals more than $37 Million.
Madeline Weinrib’s hand-embroidered tea towels are created through a collaboration between Madeline and Zardozi, an organization that helps women in Afghanistan find jobs.Under some of the most challenging circumstances for women in the world, the nonprofit has developed innovative ways to enable extremely poor women to become entrepreneurs.
“Through my travels I am always meeting people that are helping artisans. I love to collaborate with them,” says Madeline.
The towels have both a functional and decorative use to them, and can kept in places such as the guest bathroom or kitchen, or to set a small table.
An entrepreneur that is focused on social good, Sterling McDavid is the CEO and Founder of The Starling Project, a charitable home product line that helps provide solar energy to rural communities in need around the world. She is also the Chair of National Development on UNICEF’s Next Generation Steering Committee and an active member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Junior Board. And as if those activities were not enough, the former Goldman Sachs staffer is also the CEO and Founder of the real estate development firm Sterling McDavid LLC and one of the owners of the New York restaurants Hunt & Fish Club and Rogue & Canon.
In support of the release of The Starling Project’s recent Candle Collection — the non-profit has already raised over $100,000 for UNICEF since forming in December 2015 — Downtown caught up with Sterling for some Q&A. More info on The Starling Project can be found at www.StarlingProject.org, while Sterling herself is on Instagram as @SterlingMcDavid.
Your name is Sterling, yet your company is The Starling Project. Why the difference in naming? Do people ever get confused?
Sterling McDavid: It’s funny because we definitely knew we would get this question when we named the company “Starling” rather than “Sterling.” The truth is we wanted to get asked this question! We loved that “Starling” was a play on my name, but most importantly, we loved the meaning bigger behind Starling.
A Starling is a bird that is absolutely stunning, but Starlings have a unique pulsating dance they do when they come together. Thousands of them will gather, rise and spin in the sky, and together they are even more beautiful than they are individually. The name “Starling” represents the transformative power and energy each of us has when we come together. Each person that purchases a candle is contributing to a community that is making an impact on another community, and although we are all powerful on our own, we are much more powerful when we come together to give back.
Where did the idea for The Starling Project come from?
SM: After going to Vietnam with UNICEF in June 2013, I knew from what I had seen in poverty stricken areas of Vietnam that I needed to change my career. Immediately upon returning to New York, I informed my team at Goldman Sachs that I would be leaving. At the time, I did not knew exactly what I would do, but I knew I wanted to start a social good company that gives back.
Given that I am originally from Texas, where energy is a topic of conversation constantly, and that I had been exposed to some energy-efficient solutions to problems in Vietnam, I thought that it was likely I would focus my efforts on clean energy solutions, but I didn’t know in what way. When I left Goldman, I ultimately decided to go back to school to study interior architecture and design at Parsons School of Design. I ended up taking a job in Paris with the wonderful architecture firm Projectiles where my focus was building a spa resort. We thought of every detail imaginable for the resort including what fragrance would fill it.
It was during the research for this project that I came up with the idea to do a candle line. It was perfect! Candles give off light and light goes hand in hand with solar energy. When I shared the news with the UNICEF team, they loved it. From there I spent time narrowing down UNICEF projects to give to, and then The Starling Project was officially born.
Sterling McDavid / Photo: Camille Colin Photographe
What makes these candles different from other candles? For example, are the contents sourced from fair trade providers etc.?
SM: Starling candles are unique because we source the glass, wax and cotton wick from U.S. businesses. It was really important to me to source from the United States to support American business. We also make sure that the natural essential oils we source are free from human trafficking. Additionally, the candles are unique because of the combinations of fragrances. We purposely try to combine scents that aren’t typically thought of together to create something that is not only original, but that also really is a new experience for ones sense of smell.
How did you decide to partner with UNICEF?
SM: UNICEF is my passion so the decision was easy for me. I am Chair of National Development on UNICEF’s Next Generation Steering Committee. I have been a junior board member for over five years now, and after visiting Vietnam with UNICEF for the first time, it became clear to me that it is one of the most amazing organizations in the world. UNICEF is saving children’s lives every day and they are innovative and thoughtful about how they do it and that really impressed me. I knew after my first field visit to Vietnam that I would have a life-long relationship with the organization.
What’s ahead for The Starling Project besides the new fall candle scents?
SM: We are working on various surprise collaborations for the holidays that we are excited about and we are also focusing on creating even more candle scents to add to our collection. It seems like we are mixing new combinations every day, but not every scent is a winner, so we definitely take our time to create the perfect combinations.
Aside from your charity work, you are known to be a co-owner of Hunt & Fish Club. What’s coming up for that establishment?
SM: Hunt & Fish Club has been such a wonderful project! There really is not a more beautiful and well-run restaurant in New York City, in my opinion. We are constantly working to keep things exciting and we have an incredible staff that really takes it all to a whole other level. At this point, we are really striving every day to make it better than the day before and I am proud to say the restaurant is always filled with guests like Demi Levato and the Kardashians.
Hunt & Fish Club
Do you have other projects that you are involved with besides The Starling Project and Hunt & Fish Club?
SM: I do! I am an interior architect and designer. Currently, I am working on building a house in Aspen, Colorado. I have been working on it for 2.5 years, but am thrilled to say it will be complete this December!
What do you like to do in your free time when not working?
SM: I practice yoga nearly every day and am often caught hiking or in a Barry’s Bootcamp class. I also love art and architecture, so you may catch me at a museum or art show!
Having lived all over the world, what is it that keeps you a New Yorker?
SM: It’s funny because I was born and raised in Texas, but I truly have always been a New Yorker! I spent my childhood hopping between New York and Texas, and told my parents from the time I was eight years old that I was going to move to New York as soon as I could. I did exactly that! It is the fast pace, diversity, innovation and excitement that keep me a New Yorker. And, of course, the food! I truly couldn’t live without the variety of options at this point!
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
SM: Other than Hunt & Fish Club, I would have to say it is a tie between Locanda Verde and Osteria Morini! I am a big fan of Italian food and I think there are few chefs who can do it better than Andrew Carmellini and Michael White.
Finally, Sterling, any last words for the kids?
SM: Go out everyday with the goal to be kind and loving to anyone you cross paths with! People always ask me how they can make an impact without having to contribute a large amount financially. I really believe every kind act is crucial to making this world a better place for everyone. Of course, you can also buy a Starling candle to give back as well. (laughs)
