our story

Some of my favorite moments are the quiet ones.

You might find me strolling the aisles of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, meandering the streets of Manhattan, or cozied up to a cappuccino (my favorite thing!) at one of my favorite cafés, searching for artistic inspiration.

Creativity has always been part of my life. My formal journey began with a French dressmaking class at Maison Sapho on 83rd Street in New York. That small classroom opened the door to something much larger. Soon after, I continued my studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion design.

Fashion taught me far more than how to design garments. It taught me patience, discipline, and reverence for the process. Even the simplest piece can require countless hours of thoughtful refinement.

Over time, life carried me through many chapters-designing, opening a boutique, building an online store, and working within the world of design itself. Each experience added something new, though at the time I didn’t realize then how naturally those pieces would one day connect.

Along the way, another quiet fascination began to take shape: formulation.

I became deeply curious about ingredients - oils, botanicals, and extracts - and how they interact with the skin. What began as small experiments slowly evolved into something more intentional. Evenings were often spent reading, researching, blending, and testing. A drop more here, a different oil there. Always observing. Always learning.

In many ways, formulation reminded me of fashion design. Both require intuition, balance, patience, and deep respect for the materials you work with.

DARJM was born from that place - not from a sudden idea, but from years of curiosity, quiet observation, and careful practice.

At DARJM, simplicity does not mean doing less. In many ways, it requires doing more. Every formulation is thoughtfully researched, carefully developed, and thoroughly tested. Each ingredient must earn its place. When unnecessary elements are removed, what remains can truly perform.

No excess. No harsh chemicals. Just carefully chosen ingredients working in harmony.

To me, the simplest things - when created with care - are often the most powerful.

DARJM is the result of a lifelong habit of observing, questioning, and creating. And every product carries a small part of that journey.

Emily