Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

Reposted from: Verve Magazine His penchant for sustainability has earned him the respect of his peers in the industry… It’s been a decade since Rahul Mishra first brought the Gandhian philosophy of a self-sufficient economy to life on the runway. Now with his latest collection Infinity — where he puts his own spin on post-impressionist paintings — and with his reputation for impeccable craftsmanship, he continues to innovate every season. Hailed by some as one of the most creative savants in India, Mishra has set out to achieve what few designers promise to and fewer deliver — build a fashion empire... Read More

Reposted from: The Better India  “I am an animal lover.” Devika Srimal Bapna begins talking with the simplest statement of purpose behind her brand Kanabis. Her enduring affection for all things four-legged and her tryst as a PETA volunteer led this Delhi resident towards a more conscious lifestyle. She mostly succeeded, except when it came to her footwear. “I couldn’t find an alternative to leather,” says Devika. “I lived in London, and leather was often the only option in the cold. When I came back to India, I noticed a serious gap in the market. There were big brands that manufactured... Read More

Reposted from: Vogue Hospitality marries Art cohesively in this plush suburban Mumbai hotel. From the modern eclecticism of New York's Gramercy Park to the surreal Chihuly glass installations in The Bellagio at Las Vegas to the contemporary artistry at Verona's Byblos Art and Hongkong's Langham Place, hospitality marries art in a form so fluid, the overall experience is heightened simply by the aesthetic elements of it. Closer home, the Grand Hyatt Mumbai's fine collections of commissioned art evoke that same visual experience which seasoned travelers, art aficionados and the occasional weary businessman find comforting, in the midst of a bustling concrete metropolis. With... Read More

Reposted from: The Friday Times Rajeev Sethi is South Asia's leading designer, and is noted for preserving and celebrating its rich heritage and culture through writing, designing pavilions, performances and festivals, exhibitions, policies and programmes. He has designed and curated exhibitions in Asia, Europe, Canada and the US. His three exhibitions for the Smithsonian, Aditi, Mela and The Golden Eye won him the tribute of "India's answer to Diaghilev" by the New York Times art critic, John Russell. These exhibitions brought together leading architects and traditional Indian craftsmen to create unique prototypes for a global marketplace. He returned, once again, to... Read More

Reposted From: The Times Of India Restaurant review: The Spice Route The 17-year-old Spice Route in New Delhi's The Imperial hotel is not in the least a restaurant. It is a concept where food is just a bonus. Stepping into the restaurant is like entering an ancient archaeological site where pillars from the 16th century heavy with woodwork crowd the entrance while stone sculptures and murals depicting mythological gods and goddesses fill the walls. Uncharacteristic of an entrance, far less a restaurant entrance, this one is extremely cluttered in its arrangement of the beautifully bedecked columns allowing you to enter... Read More

Reposted from: Kyoorius Possibly India’s largest public artwork project to date, Jaya He Museum at the Mumbai International Airport, spans across Terminal 2 and is a landmark corporate initiative to safeguard an immense cultural resource. Jaya He Museum provides the artisans with a unique platform to showcase their arts and crafts, many of which are dwindling due to a lack of opportunities. Envisioned in 2009 by Sanjay Reddy, Vice-Chairman of GVK Power & Infrastructure Limited, who wished to create an airport that “can compete with any global equivalent but retains a distinct sense of place and identity,... Read More

Reposted from: Forbes India GoCoop is helping weavers get better prices for their products by providing a platform on which they can sell directly to local and global buyers

Reposted from: The Better India The Tibetan community has lived in India for decades and Dharamsala is the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Yet, the community continues to remain in the sidelines, rarely emerging in mainstream media apart from stories of protests and activism. That’s what makes Tenor Sharlho so interesting — fashion designer, entrepreneur, crafts connoisseur, whose fledgling initiative in India is slowly but steadily grabbing attention.

Tenor is the founder of Sharlho, a sustainable label that interprets traditional Himalayan craftsmanship in contemporary designs and provides jobs to local artisans.

Reposted from: Architectural Digest

For 25 years now, New Delhi-based luxury textile and embroidery brand Sarita Handa has been making homes beautiful—one stitch at a time

What do Pottery Barn, Julia Roberts-starrer Eat Pray Love, and Spanish clothing and accessories retailer Zara have in common? The answer might surprise you. They have all, at some point, used Sarita Handa’s delicate embroideries and luxury textiles. Founded in 1992, Sarita Handa Exports reflects its owner’s passion for art, craft and textiles. Handa valued Indian craftsmanship, but was aware of its problems: inconsistent quality and old-fashioned products. She realized that with some quality control... Read More

Reposted from: Verve Magazine “It’s very important that design is driven by one’s soul and a deep-rooted understanding of materials” Chinar’s affair with design began in her childhood, when she started accompanying her mother to craft villages in India. She has a special place in her heart for traditional Rajasthani attire which shaped her understanding of design and played an important role in establishing her clothing and home textiles brand Injiri. Her products are an amalgamation of folk culture and the hard work of a talented team of karigars, a fact that she talks about to everyone she meets. She discusses... Read More