For years, Judith Compton has combined her love for fashion, her support of global artisans and her pride of her Filipino heritage to make what she loves what she does. Born with discerning taste, she is always in pursuit of finding and creating the beautiful.
A self-described chronic entrepreneur with a passion for creating ideas, concepts, brands, memories and meaningful things, Judith has experienced the joys and challenges of pursuing her dreams and goals with no regrets. At her core, she is a global citizen with a yearning desire to serve others.
With a fashion career that began in her 20s working for luxury retailer Nordstrom and evolved into designing and manufacturing her own women’s apparel line, Judith shifted gears and ran sales and marketing for a wholesale apparel manufacturer. These experiences established the base for the next stage of her career in retail consulting and eventually retail store ownership. Her passion for the fashion industry remains at the forefront of her ventures.
Her self-proclaimed raison d’etre is to consciously create fair fashion intended to nurture the soul.
Our Creator's Vision
While on her own personal journey to find her inner self and create her next business endeavor that would express her soul while helping others, Judith used her meditation practice to assist in uncovering the answer, which was right in front of her all along: her mala beads.
Throughout her world travels, Judith would randomly encounter mala beads, which are a Buddhist rosary of 108 beads used for meditation. There was something about these beads that spoke to her. Upon discovering the beads' purpose — that each bead represents a mantra, a chant or word that is said either out loud or to yourself to create transformation — she found her inspiration.
The story resonated with her, so she decided that this would be the core concept to launch her next creative venture. Mala and Mantra was created with the goal of providing fashionable jewelry, accessories and apparel with spiritual affirmations that help wearers discover their inner soul.
It was critical for Judith to consciously create her jewelry and accessories line. She began working with local Southern California jewelry makers and then found a social entrepreneurship in the Philippines to collaborate with for the brand's larger production. The social enterprise in the Philippines provides sustainable income, pays fair wages and provides a safe work environment for a women’s cooperative in Northern Luzon. By purchasing production from this cooperative, Mala and Mantra is supporting these women and their families, as well as assuring them of sustainable income while expanding their livelihood. This is the most significant part of the entrepreneurial equation for Judith: to create fair fashion inspired by spirit, fit for the soul.
Our Inspiration
MALA
Sanskrit for garland. 108 beads together. Used in meditation for counting while chanting, reciting or mentally repeating a MANTRA.
MANTRA
Sanskrit for sound, syllable, word or group of words capable of creating transformation.
Our Brand
Designed with intention.
Consciously created.
Fair, sustainable fashion.
To nurture the soul.
Mala and Mantra transports the mysteries and magic of the monasteries to your present-moment meditation. Wear these stylish prayer beads and mantras to create your own self-transformation and draw you closer to your true soul.