About SAÉA

Shezal Babar is a self-taught designer based in San Diego, California. Originally from Islamabad, Pakistan, Shezal seeks inspiration from the rugged terrains of the Himalayan mountains where she spent many summers as a child and the contrasting soft beauty of Californian beaches where she currently lives. Shezal designs decorative art objects that are handcrafted by Pakistan artisan sculptors using stone sourced from Balochistan. She also designs & makes wearable jewelry, also centered on the beauty of natural stone. Each of her designs evokes a feeling of deep healing and connection with the earth. After spending years in the corporate world, Shezal began her design journey as a form of personal healing offering recovery from burnout and depression. In 2024, Shezal followed her desire to work in harmony with nature and fully dedicated herself to building SAÉA, a design studio rooted in sustainability, culture, and craft based in San Diego, CA. Shezal’s work is both a tribute and a testimony to the healing power of nature, the land and cultural traditions that shaped her. It is also a statement of wabi-sabi, embracing strength and beauty in imperfection. Shezal creates with the intention to bring stillness, depth, and intentional beauty into our everyday spaces.Read their story