Kuleana is our responsibility to care for what sustains us.
Tejas Ke’alohi Jhaveri never forgets his roots. Born and raised in Hawai’i, on a vibrant farm filled with bananas, turmeric, and other warm-weather delicacies, he understands the importance of caring for our planet through the food we eat and the clothes we wear. The principles of his island childhood—specifically, the notion of kuleana, or the responsibility and privilege to care for what sustains us—guide his work and influence his style, no matter where he finds himself.
Inspired by Hawaiian agriculture and the artistry of fine dining, Tejas began his journey as a private chef when he was 20. “I got into food because of growing up on the farm,” he says. “It was just a natural kind of progression, along with my mother’s love of food and nourishment. My own passion grew out of working hard and learning how much I loved the hard work, but also the creativity.”
Now, he’s a private chef in New York City, cooking in tandem with the seasons and with regard to homegrown produce. Whenever possible, he develops recipes and dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from farmers’ markets, local fishmongers, and his client’s garden.
Tejas’s everyday style is typically streamlined for 16-hour days in the kitchen, but every piece has a story behind it. His wardrobe is inspired by his grandfather’s classic taste and is handpicked for true quality. “I have a couple of my grandfather’s ties and a wallet he had made in Paris with his name on it,” he says. He gravitates towards timeless looks, neutral color palettes, and easygoing fabrics like denim.
In a workspace prone to spills and stress, durable denim allows for freedom of movement and stands up to tricky oil stains. Tejas’s favorite pair of jeans are hand-me-downs from a globe-trotting family friend—“She was like, ‘These are some sick pieces I found traveling and I wanted you guys to have them,’ and I put the jeans on and thought ‘These are so different’”, he recalls. Their broken-in feel, unique slanted pockets, and functional elastic waistband are details that keep him comfortable during long days on his feet.
I think it’s crazy to throw away clothes!
Tejas’s fashion choices are a reflection of his values, movement, and culinary creativity—so he takes good care of every piece in his closet. He prides himself on his ability to find quality, made-to-last pieces and keeps them until they literally fall apart. And he dreams of ways his favorite fabrics can live beyond clothing—from imagining innovative uses for denim in the kitchen (knife rolls, trivets, aprons) to giving his old jeans new life through recycling.
For Tejas, kuleana means caring for his family, food, and the planet – whether that’s mindfully taking advantage of nature’s abundance of seasonal produce, educating people about the dangers of microplastics in our oceans, or convincing his Hamptons clients to start composting. Caring deeply for the land and resources he’s been given is second nature to Tejas, and he hopes that in partnering with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program, he’ll inspire others to do the same.
