Diana Linda

Diana Linda is an expatriate living in India .She used to work with the international NGO,  Doctors Without Borders for eight years before she decided to follow her passion for designing.Now she crafts a variety of products ranging from bags, fashion accessories, pouches, jewellery, belts, decorated stockings, shoes, ornamental jackets, and home décor items.

Inspired mainly by India and its vibrant colours, her work spells Mumbai-Bombay- Bollywood with its pop culture, kitsch and drama. Her work uses various techniques like decoupage and recycling. Her gorgeous bollywood boots are available at the MASALA CHAI store, Chennai.

Item Number

I'm a personal fan of what the fabulous guys at Item Number do. Yes, its full blown in your face bollywood kitsch. Are you a shy wallflower who quotes Sylvia Plath? Yeah, this isn't for you. But if you're the sort who can mix her chic with her kitsch, look no further. The name Item Number should be  indication of how these accessories will put you centre stage, social spot light. Celebrate your inner diva - it's time to make a statement. 

Item number is a Mumbai based company run by artist/designer due Inder & Arif. 

Available @ MASALA CHAI, Chennai

Jayesh Sivan

Bangalore based Jayesh Sivan is currently working as a Graphic Designer and illustrator. Specialized in Brand Identity, Brand Strategy, Brand Architecture, Illustration and Photography , hi line of hand drawn, customized 'funk flip flops' are inspired by his travels, sketches and photographs. Get your funk on!  


Available at MASALA CHAI store, Chennai

Rachana Reddy

Rachana Reddy Accessories was born out of the creative passion of bringing forth avant-garde fashion accessories,artful concepts & detailing to life.Conceptualized, designed by Rachana, the clutches are handcrafted by skilled local artisans. A believer that accessories are an inspiring medium of individualistic expression,she ensures each of them is a piece of art and a piece of luxury .

The debut collection 2010 called the “Lotus Sutra” intends to be artistically evocative & inspiring.The line predominantly consists of wooden clutches with traditional accents such as lotus, paisleys, jali work etched and carved into them delicately & filled in with luxurious fabrics ,all put together with a contemporary touch.

Rachana Reddy clutches available at the MASALA CHAI store, Chennai

SODA

SODA is a stylish, bold, quirky and fun lifestyle brand that will electrify your interiors with its riot of colours and innovatively designed furnishing.SODA was started by Sai Sangeet Paliwal as it gave her the creative freedom to play around with her unique ideas of space-definition and design, while breaking away from the stereotypical monotony of contemporary design houses. Sangeet and SODA have a bubbly and energetic dialogue together, and in turn, the brand is an extension of her expression. 

Dipika Vijay - Coyote

Dipika Vijay designs sterling silver jewels and acrylic accessories under the label 'Coyote'.

'Coyote ' is species of wild wolves. Also slang for a sexy women. "I loved the name because it has character, certain kind of wildness attached to it." , says Dipika. She has been design jewelry ever since she graduated from NID, Ahmedabad. 

Exquisite Coyote jewelry available soon at the MASALA CHAI store.

Vineeta Nair

"After years of wanting to quit advertising, how it finally happened was serendipity. Very very breifly: I handpainted a tray that got me an invitation to take part in an exhibition. I got 1.5 months to fill the stall with what I wanted. My biggest challenge was to create things fast. The exhibition happened, I sold a lot. But what really set the ball rolling was when I posted the pictures of my work on my blog. The orders started and have not stopped since.  That's when I knew I wouldn't starve if I quit. So I did. I haven't stopped thanking the powers that be. Its crazy scary fun to live the dream life you've wanted to. I'm learning learning learning", says the Mumbai based decoupage artist & graphic designer. 

Vineeta Nair's home accessories will be available soon @ the MASALA CHAI store. 

Pop Att

Sublime bursts of colour in the form of lamps, chandeliers, jewelry and home accessories - Pop Att, will make your eyes pop and grab your attention . You definitely want a piece of their merchandise to add character to your space.  The creative dabbling of Khushboo & Rakhi, Pop Att makes its debut in the south at MASALA CHAI in Chennai soon. 

Lokesh Karekar : Locopopo

Lokesh Karekar's artistic skills are nothing short of superb. This J.J. Institute of Applied Arts alumnus knows a thing or two about design. One look at his stylized Indic script illustrations or even the rendering on his desi-hip  brand locopopo, is all you need to be convinced of this fact. In a sublime mix of austere line drawings and intensely hued folksy vectors, you see a glimpse of Karekar's visual identity. When quizzed about what inspires him, Lokesh dutifully pays tribute to his city Mumbai , amongst other things. Click here for an interview.

Available soon at the MASALA CHAI store, Chennai

Chumbak

Chumbak, the incredibly interpreted 'India' merchandise that will delight you with its staggering variety of choice, is the brain child of Shubhra Chadda an avid traveler and  Alicia Souza, an illustrator. Chumbak is based out of Bangalore and is soon to take Chennai by storm. Tons more at the MASALA CHAI store launch.

Kanika Bahl : Anek Designs

Kanika Bahl is a textile designer from NID, Ahmedabad. Kanika recently started 'Anek Designs' from her new home in  Pune.  At Anek you will find  handcrafted home decor accessories and fabric nick knacks designed and crafted by Kanika. These products, though Indian in their essence will sit beautifully in any contemporary home to add that little warmth and colour!


Available soon at the MASALA CHAI store.

Padmaja Krishnan

Transit Design is a small-scale fashion and textile “laboratory” set up by Padmaja Krishnan in 2005. Inspired by the unexpected, Padmaja creates “non-conformative, quirky and peaceful” clothing for men and women, as well as curious and finely detailed handcrafted products using only natural materials.