In the heart of Kathmandu, a quiet shift in beauty and sustainability is taking place.
Meet Cristeena Chitrakar, founder of Tuisa, author of Remembering Nepal, and visionary jewelry designer bridging royal tradition with a conscious future.
Regal Roots, Ethical Radiance: How Cristeena Chitrakar is Redefining Luxury in Nepal
Cristeena descends from one of Nepal’s most artistically significant families. Her father served for decades as chief Cameraman & DGM to Nepal Television, the national public broadcaster for Nepal. Through her father, she is a descendant of a family who, for generations, had the privilege of capturing Nepalese culture, ceremony and spirit—from the timeless rituals of the Kumari, the Living Goddess, to the intimate moments of state life. Before the camera, her ancestors painted and documented royal life in exquisite detail, preserving Nepal’s aesthetic soul through centuries of cultural transformation.
From Royal Lens to Responsible Luxury
Growing up surrounded by these images—ornate saris, temple jewels, and divine adornments—Cristeena developed a fascination for how beauty and reverence intertwine. With Tuisa, she carries this lineage forward, not by reproducing the past, but by reimagining it through sustainability.
The Diamond Reimagined
Tuisa is introducing lab-grown diamonds to Nepal. "It's a bold move", Cristeena says as natural stones have long been equated with status and authenticity. But Cristeena’s vision goes beyond perception.
She sees ethical brilliance as the new luxury:
• Environmentally regenerative — lab-grown diamonds require dramatically less land and water, and eliminate the destructive mining that scars ecosystems.
• Humanitarian by design — no child labor, no conflict zones, no exploitation.
• Regionally mindful — Tuisa’s lab grown diamonds come from India, keeping the carbon footprint minimal and the craftsmanship regional.
In her elegant, gallery-like showroom, minimalism meets majesty. A handful of radiant pieces glimmer under soft light—modern heirlooms inspired by the Lakshmi-like opulence once reserved for queens. Each design hints at something deeper: that beauty can honor tradition without harming the Earth.
Where Heritage Meets Glamour
Cristeena’s artistry plays between subtle divinity and sensual power. Her snake and vajra rings caught my eye instantly—symbols of transformation and invincibility rendered in diamond light. Then there was her dazzling necklace and earring set, a design so flawlessly balanced between classic and contemporary that I thought it was made for Playboy of the Year. To my delight, she explained the motif wasn’t inspired by bunny ears at all—but by Nepal’s national flower, the rhododendron, a blossom that symbolizes passion, devotion, affluence, and resilience.
Tuisa even extends this creative grace to the next generation, with a children’s collection that’s as thoughtful as it is charming—inviting young ones to wear pieces infused with heritage, imagination, and respect for the planet.
Carrying the Light of Nepal Forward
Cristeena’s jewelry celebrates more than sparkle. It’s an offering to her country, her ancestors, and the divine feminine essence woven through Nepalese culture. By fusing royal aesthetics with ethical innovation, she invites a new generation to adorn themselves consciously—to wear the story of Nepal’s artistry with integrity and pride.
Why She Embodies the Permaculture Pinup Spirit
At Permaculture Pinup, we celebrate women who cultivate beauty in harmony with nature; those who turn legacy into living ecology. Cristeena Chitrakar exemplifies this alchemy:
• She honors her roots while evolving them sustainably.
• She transforms luxury into stewardship.
Through Tuisa, the light of Nepal’s royal artistry is evolving, sparkling anew in the hands of a conscious creator.
