Lila and a Giveaway

What a lovely weekend this is turning out to be! I am thrilled to share such brilliant talent in the last two posts, and now, a lovely giveaway from an eclectic indie boutique store in New Delhi - Lila!

Lila was set up in Late 2011 by Shruti Narayan, an architect - as a design lab based in Shahpur Jat, New Delhi with a vision to be experimental using the simplest of ingredients with a desire to create a series of designs that are both minimalistic in appearance as well rich in craftsmanship.  Lila strives to use only pure and natural materials that are locally sourced and fabricated. 

As a design philosophy - Lila celebrates solid colors and develops textures and patterns through a play of these solid colors resulting in vibrant tones draped in bold silhouettes – giving not only a laid back vibe but a sense of quiet sophistication.

Give Away!

Lila would like to giveaway this perfect-for-summer-evenings wrap blouse to one lucky An Indian Summer reader. Lila would ship worldwide, so everyone is free to participate in the giveaway.

To enter:

1. Think of what you would pair this wrap-around blouse with, or, what summer event would you like to wear it to. Tell us about it on facebook right here by leaving a comment. (Make sure you are logged into facebook to do so) 

2. To double your chances just leave a comment on this post too

3. That's it! Wait for result to be announced on April 6th :)

Thank you Shruti for the giveaway!

[Images: Lila and An Indian Summer]

 

More design goodness

I couldn't have left you this Friday, without sharing some more of brilliant design goodness. And that's not all! Wait for the next post for a fabulous giveaway. But first...

~ Ira ~

Reviving and reinventing traditional craft practices that are considered anachronistic, Ira creates and products that synthesises Indian crafts with a contemporary design style - drawing inspiration from hand-beaten vessels in copper and brass. Manasa Prithvi, the designer behind Ira, collaborates directly with master craftsmen in Southern India, and the products are then finished in London, adding values of both classic and contemporary design making.

Take a look at Ira's exquisitely crafted products right here.

~ Rayden Design Studio ~

Rayden Design Studio is a multidisciplinary studio working at the intersection of Art, Design and technology. Founded by Parul and Mooshir Vahanvati, Rayden Design Studio, uses inspiration from material, processes. experiences, context and people, to create objects and experiences which lean towards the minimal aesthetics, are emotionally evoking and use precisely engineered construction.

Take a look at Rayden's cutting edge designs right here.

~ Graphic Design + Architecture by Richard Poulin ~

I received a copy of Richard Poulin's Graphic Design + Architecture - A 20th Century History in December last year. Between work, travel and everything else, I finally managed to finish this very interesting book earlier this month. It is a fascinating read, through the history and evolution of environmental graphic design, in (primarily) western countries, during the 20th century. As described in the book synopsis, Graphic Design and Architecture, A 20th Century History closely examines the relationship between typography, image, symbolism, and the built environment by exploring principal themes, major technological developments, important manufacturers, and pioneering designers over the last 100 years.

Strongly recommend this book for students and graphic design/architecture practitioners. You can get your copy right here.

[All images: An Indian Summer]

Of beautiful fabrics...

...and talented women

It's showcase time folks! Time to bring to you a selection of design goodness that I have been getting in my inbox. And what better day to present these to you than a friday? Browse through these lovely designs and stores, in this post and next, at your leisure over the weekend!

~ Taan Bann ~  

Saumya Nagar, a consultant textile designer and a long time reader of the blog, shared with me the wonderful design studio she is currently working with. Taan Baan is a brand started by Rta Kapur Chishti, the author of the immensely popular 'Saris of India'. Taan Baan works to promote handspun and handwoven textiles by developing scarves, sarees and home furnishings. Taan Baan has also started the innovative Sari School, where the traditional sari wearing styles are taught and promoted.

[Connect with: Taan Baan; The Sari School]

~ Saffron Hue ~

What began as a casual conversation between two friends, Ruchi Sharma and Pinal Maniar, Saffron Hue brings a fresh new perspective to the traditional textiles and techniques of India by using them for baby bedding and accessories. Saffron Hue's products reflect the changing times and are an amalgamation of skilled craftsmanship, tradition and modern design sensibilities. 

Ruchi is a corporate-refugee-turned-entrepreneur holds an undergraduate degree in Finance from University of Houston and has more than seven years of extensive experience in both finance and marketing. Pinal has an advanced diploma in Textile Design from the prestigious National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Backed with a sound design studio experience she has been working as an independent textile and surface designer and consultant since 2003 exploring different avenues and techniques in the field of home furnishings, handicrafts and quilting. 

Saffron Hue would love to offer An Indian Summer readers a whopping 30% discount till April 7th, 2013. Just use the code SPRING at checkout while shopping here.

[Connect: Saffron Hue; On facebook] 

 

~ 11.11 ~

Based in Delhi, Paris and Berlin, 11.11 is strongly rooted in the Indian heritage of techniques and textile aesthetics. This eclectic fashion brand was started by Shani Himanshu and Smitha Singh Rathore, who graduated from Domus Academy in Milan in 2003. Having worked with Italian brands and being exposed to their craftsmanship, they strongly believe in cross over of cultures and aim to retain and enhance the inherent quality of fabric and craft in their designs. 

11.11 is available at The Grey Garden, located at the Hauz Khas village in New Delhi. Just mention An Indian Summer at the studio to get a 5% discount on purchases above INR 10k.

[Connect: 11.11; The Grey Garden]

~ Pappadum ~

Pappadum is a cozy little children's store in Chennai conceptualized and run by Priyanka Raghunath and Harini Lakshminarayan. Harini and Priyanka collaborate with independent artists and designers, who specialize in sustainable alternatives for families with children between the age of 0 & 5. Their store houses a mixed bag of products that range from clothing to room decor, bed linens, accessories and the likes. Since a majority of these designers are parents themselves, they're inspired to make their products as eco-friendly, organic and fair-trade as possible. They also take great pride in their book section that is painstakingly put together by researching children's authors, illustrators and independent publishers, whose creativity amazes and inspires them, everyday.

Priyanka Raghunath is an Architect by profession. She, admittedly, draws her inspiration from Bijoy Jain, Kevin Mark and Geoffrey Bawa amongst other architectural greats. Professionally and personally, she likes things simple and has a green thumb that is some thing of a legend! Harini Lakshminarayan comes from an Advertising & Film background. Is a BIG design, graphic novel and indie cinema buff and can, predictably, be found indulging in one of the aforementioned pursuits when not at Pappadum.

Harini and Priyanka would love to offer a 15% discount specially to An Indian Summer readers. Just mention An Indian Summer when you walk into their store in Chennai to avail the discount!

[Connect: Pappadum on facebook] 

~ Ichcha ~ 

The concept of Ichcha, a wish to encourage conscious living, was conjured in 2010 by sisters Ruchika, Rachna and Monika. Leaving their corporate careers, the three launched into the off beaten path of India, striving to forge friendships with the people closer to the land.

Ichcha, as a result, is a combination of aspirations to explore and the idea of sustainable living. The three founders aspire to work with good people, aspire to encourage the traditions of the land, aspire to do justice to earth and it's offerings. Their products are a direct offspring of their design values, merged with the hands who know the bends of each thread, the fold of each fabric, the color of each flower. Ichcha works to continue the age old tradition of block printing with natural dye, and also working with inspirational women whose hands know the importance of each stitch that contributes to the beauty of a whole design. 

[Connect: Ichcha, Ichcha on facebook]

[All images: An Indian Summer]

Through the lens of

Thiru S

One of the best things about writing a blog is that you get to know and meet exceptionally creative and interesting people. Thiru and I connected late last year and he shared his impressive portfolio with me. I was thrilled to see many of my favorite images from various residences and boutique design resorts in his portfolio - Thiru has been photographing for some of the top design and travel magazines for years now. His photography portfolio not only covers interiors but a wide array of editorial, travel, food, street and personal photography. Apart from photography, Thiru also runs the creative design agency, White Light Design, that he co-founded in 2004.

 

In Thiru's own words: 

There are certain places and moments in life, which transcend beauty, as we know it. Most of my photos are grounded in these instances. I look for the unguarded moment, the inner beauty. My genre of photography intends to show different spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, and at other times microscopic. I’m excited about life, travel and photography. I have been taking pictures for the past 12 years. In all these years there were times when I thought I had something extraordinary. Sometimes I was fooled that what I thought was great turned out to be not so great and there were other times when the not so great pleasantly surprised me.

Photography has taught me to be patient but more importantly to apply myself. The more I applied myself and interacted with the world around me, the better I got. It has taught me to let go of the preconceptions of what I was expecting to get, or want to get, and just react to the natural world. In other words to let those things that are on the inside come out. To me photography draws upon who we are and the life views that we hold. It’s an interpretation of our sensibilities and our relationship with the world. It is a mirror to what we love and fear, and it provides opportunities to explore subjects one might be too timid to explore without the excuse of a camera.

 

View more of Thiru's beautiful images right here. Also, take a look at the brilliant, The Deconstruction Project, a spatial experiment using photo art installations, designed and curated by Thiru and Vikrant Sharma.

Thanks Thiru, for sharing your work with us! 

[All Images Copyright: Thiru S, Elle Decor India, Styling by Sonia Dutt]

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Coming up later this week and next, showcase posts featuring new designers and stores, and a bunch of lovely giveaways!  

Keep reading An Indian Summer!