Meet the Syrian-American artist who moved to Mumbai at 19 with no clear plan and built a global fashion brand

At just 19, Eliza Karaza made a life-changing decision to leave her hometown of Chicago and move to Mumbai, India—a city she had never visited. A Syrian American painter, Eliza accepted an unexpected offer to teach art, despite having no details about the school, salary, or where she would live. Guided purely by a spirit of adventure and artistic passion, she embraced the unknown. Her leap of faith marked the beginning of a transformative journey, challenging her comfort zone and reshaping her identity in powerful ways. Eliza’s story is one of courage, creativity, and the power of trusting the unknown.Eliza was met with uncertainty from the moment she arrived. She had not spoken to her future employer, had no confirmed place to stay, and lacked any real understanding of Mumbai’s sprawling and complex urban landscape. The city’s bustling streets, crowded local trains, and unfamiliar cultural norms presented daunting obstacles. Language barriers further complicated her adjustment, as she initially struggled to communicate and connect with those around her. Despite these challenges, Eliza's curiosity and determination pushed her to learn and get the best out of her new environment.Within a decade, Eliza made Mumbai home and familiar. Through determination and willingness, she learned Hindi, built strong friendships, and integrated into the neighborhood community. This ten-year experience allowed her to learn and develop exponentially and become strong. The vibrant culture, the unorganized but mobilizing spirit of the city, and the people she met became the backdrop of her personal and artistic development. Mumbai, her foreign and intimidating destination, was now a place of artistic influence and home.Eliza launched Harakaat, a fashion clothing brand, in 2020 that reflects her unique cultural background and artistic style. The brand is a culmination of hand-painted art along with South Asian art movements such as Mughal miniatures paintings, Bollywood-themed designs, and Indian truck paintings. These are then complemented with Western-style denim jackets to create wearable art that documents the dual heritage of Eliza honouring her Eastern roots while embracing contemporary Western sensibilities. Harakaat is not a fashion brand; it is a storytelling platform where cultural hybridity is vaunted.In addition to being a professional artist, Eliza has also become an entrepreneur and storyteller with a strong following on Instagram too, where she shares her creative process and life story to over 48,000 followers. She runs Mehal House, her family creative studio and retail space, along with her husband Ibal Preet and son. The studio is their hub for creative work and the bridge that unites various cultural inspirations in art and design.Eliza Karaza's is a testament to how bravery in the face of uncertainty can lead to amazing growth and possibility. From a young woman stepping into a completely new world to emerging as a successful artist and entrepreneur, her journey honors the strength of resilience, cultural exchange, and artistic imagination. It bears witness to how fearless choices can reveal new pages with fullness, meaning, and invention.Also Read | 48 venomous snakes and 5 turtles seized from passenger’s luggage at Mumbai airport after arrival from Bangkok; check photos