In the middle of Petaling Jaya, sat a studio nestled in between rows and rows and rows of houses, unassuming in nature, spacious by size. Inside were a group of men and women, chatting, laughing and most importantly, eating good food and drinking good coffee. This congregation or amalgamation of talent has one sole purpose for the day. Storytelling. 

And for that purpose we sat with mother daughter duo, Poojitha Ravi Menon and Riaan Ravi Ramachandran. Poojitha, a statuesque figure with a sweet smile that reaches her eyes, is a ceramic artist, often finding her inspirations from everyday objects and mythology. Her daughter Riaan, is similarly an artist and a model, she worked for a spell at a law firm and afterwards at the Asia Business School, working to teach digital literacy to the under served community. For her next act, Riaan is looking to start 2025 as a student. Below is an excerpt from our conversation with Poojitha and Riaan. 

What is your favorite memory with Nelissa Hilman?

P: I think when I bought my first pair of shoes because they were so comfortable, they were cushion-y, and the design was just brilliant. The fact that it’s made by another woman, for women, was just brilliant - so I think that it still is one of my best aspects about Nelissa Hilman and that’s why I have so many of her shoes. It’s almost becoming like a generational shoe. Now that my daughter has bought her first pair of Nelissa Hilman and to be able to do that with my child, together, shopping – maybe almost the same size or one size lesser, I think that is precious. So for me, is shopping with her; where both of us buy a pair or we can share a pair, I think that’s great.

R: My favorite memory definitely has to be buying my first pair of shoes with the first salary I got, after getting my first proper corporate job. You know, to pay money that is my own for a pair of shoes that I fell in love with is a memory I’ll always cherish. Especially because it started my obsession with Nelissa Hilman and shoes, in general. 

What are you most proud of in 2024?

P: So 2024, for me personally, has been a tough year. I think just existing and making it this far, is what I’m really proud about and I think sometimes, that is enough. 2024 started off great, but then unfortunately, a few months ago, I lost my mum. So coming to terms with that and meandering the loss, I think is tough, so sometimes the term Superwomen can sometimes do more harm than good, so I feel just existing and being present and arriving one day at a time is good enough and I’m really proud of myself for that. 

R : I am most proud of putting all the things that I’ve done this year, were definitely stuff that I wasn’t comfortable doing, I guess last year, and I really pushed myself through different, uncomfortable situations like modelling, or even pushing myself to meet new people and make connections, or even not rejecting myself before I get rejected. I feel like there is, in society nowadays, we feel like we are not good enough to apply for things, or even to apply for things like an art exhibition, or a new job, but how will you know if you didn’t try? 

So I really tried my best to not think about that boundary and to put myself out there without even having the qualifications to apply for a certain role or a certain job and to my surprise, I met them and I got the job that I wanted! So I really learned that I shouldn’t self-reject before I even get rejected or accepted. 

Last question, what are you most excited about in 2025? 

P: So 2025, I wouldn’t call them most exciting. I think it’s gonna be a great chapter, because it’s gonna be a lot more new adventures, new visions, new way of thinking, new perspectives and maybe, a completely different cloak to wear, I guess. Like a completely new person, it’s like doing it completely differently. Maybe not being the same person I was in 2024, being a completely different thing –  maybe baking, trying something completely different, finding my own studio, a dream home, relocating, maybe studying further – so many potentials in the list. So that’s why I can't say one particular thing, let’s see, I’m gonna keep it open and I’m gonna put it out there to the universe. I’m gonna step into the unknown and I’m super excited about the unknown. *fingers crossed* for great things to happen!

R: So after a year and six months of working, I have decided to go to university in February and I really genuinely feel like I’m ready because I’ve had a year and six months to figure out who I am as a person, the kind of values that I want to uphold, the routine that I really thrive on and with all of these knowledge, it’s really going to help me excel in my university degree and I’m really excited because I’m going to Melbourne and I love the fact that it’s surrounded by nature and that’s a really important part of my life. So I’m very excited to start my journey there and for all the amazing opportunities that are gonna come to me in Melbourne.