Quirk Box

Absolutely on point with trending silhouettes, QuirkBox produces a collection that is extremely wearable yet edgy print wise. Jayesh Sachdev and Rixi Bhatia conceived QB in 2011 if I'm not wrong and their burgeoning popularity is proof of how talented and business savvy this duo is. They have countless lifestyle products and furniture that my magpie mind lusts after but I present to you their very yummy ice cream coloured collection for your perusal.

Sameer Kulavoor

I found the most incredible goodies in my mail last week. Sameer Kulavoor, a friend and design god, had sent me The Ghoda Cycle project documented in a book , as well as two fun flip books , that I'm going to post a video of. I absolutely have one of his illustrations on my lust list , for my home. But that's for later. Take  a gander at his incredible exploration of the Ghoda cycle in all it's avatars .This is what Sameer has to say about his illustrations, "The Ghoda Cycle Project' is a visual document of the myriad avatars of bicycles in the rural and urban landscape of India.The linchpin of 'The Ghoda Cycle Project' is to lay emphasis on the framework, structure, decoration and design of the cycles ofIndia.Ergonomically these cycles may not be the best examples of bicycle design, but they have the strength to carry the hopes and aspirations of a big section of the Indian population". The illustrations have also been adapted into t shirts for fashion brand Paul Smith.

 
OH FLIP! - Ice Gola Flipbook from Sameer Kulavoor / BDD on Vimeo.

Mashaal Arshad Khan + Nayna Sisodiya

 These London based surface textile designers, came together to design and create an explosive collection of seperates. The pieces themselves are simple and assymetric, keeping the focus on the beautiful fabric. The surface design is inspired by arabic script and indigenous art forms as well as the woman who takes on the roles of 'warrior', 'mother','provider'. The warm , colourful tones are reminiscent of both Mashaal and Nayna's south asian backgrounds. Very eye catching. 

Jasjyot Singh Hans

I've been a huge fan of Jasjyot's fashion illustrations. I particularly love this entry into the Air France+ Manish Arora contest, for aspiring fashion designers. Jasjyot's collection is inspired by the almost mundane and omnipresent starched white school uniforms that countless school girls wear . His structured silhouettes bring back some nostalgia. Vote for him here.

Radha Dumra

 

 "Slick neo goth womenswear for fashion-forward individuals who understand how the understated modesty of monochrome combined with the sharp angular cuts can change the silhouette of a woman's body and create an impact.The clothes are quietly content to be seen and not heard on the bodies of the brave. Designed exclusively for those who are bold, feel strong, proud and in control. Make your own unapologetic statement. Rebel, and decide for yourself, even though your path is blocked by millions of people out there who have been uniformly convinced of an opposing idea" , Claims the fabulous London based Radha Dumra The hairy detailing does it for me.

Via Vogue: NorBlack NorWhite

Amrit Kumar and Mriga Kapadiya were friends but more appropriately sisters.

They spent more time with each other through fun projects they created and produced together. From their first homemade fashion shoots, to shows, pop up sales and styling their artist friends, these two little Indian women who grew up in Toronto, realized their union for similar aesthetics and all things old. Falling in love with each others shawls after realizing they were both wearing their mothers’ pieces, they knew there was something more to this brewing sisterhood. Amrit’s reworked vintage pieces were respected in Toronto and fueled her to keep creating pretty new designs from old gems. Mriga’s love for accessories patterns and vintage kept her style fresh and sparked her wide eyes. Both ladies have created based on what they know and learned through doing and not on what they’ve formally been taught.They shifted to Bombay, 2 years ago where they gave birth to NorBlack NorWhite. NorBlack NorWhite is a journey to explore India and its history through textiles, art and adventures. While learning about thèse art trades, regions and people we are excited to create designs and also share the knowledge of ancient practices. This project falls into a grey space of Part anthropology, part art, part fashion.

Each collection will be exploring selected regions that we want to discover further. SpringSummer2011 is created based on the Kutch region of Gujarat. "We focused on bandhani (tie-dye practices) as the heart of this season"

via Vogue

Via Vogue: Meera Sethi

Meera Sethi is an Indian-born, Toronto-based artist whose multi-disciplinary work explores the relationship between material and nonmaterial culture. With a particular emphasis on fashion, migration and identity, her practice references Indian art, design and culture to create vibrant, detailed, pattern art.Using a palette of brilliantly saturated tones, an array of bold patterns, finely rendered detail, and an even, meticulous application of paint, Meera’s aesthetic explores the cross over desi aesthetic, with a graphic illustrative interpretation.In her Firangi Rang Barangi (Hindi for "colourful foreigner") series (2009-current), she explores the relationship between femininity, dress and identity to produce a hybrid sense of style that is deeply rooted in a diasporic, transnational experience . In this work, while clothing and ornamentation boldly capture our attention, the bodies underneath remain barely visible thus emphasizing the role of sartorial expression in creating a sense of self.Finding inspiration in contemporary fashion, Eastern textiles and Mughal miniatures, each piece in this series references iconic objects of dress design from the East and West. Like much of her work, these large acrylic paintings on paper are characterized by a strong graphic painting technique and a fearless use of colour.

 

Via Vogue : Karishma Shahani

The avidly blogged Yatra collection from inventive young designer Karishma Shahani is a sartorial anthology of statement pieces, juxtaposed to create a look reminiscent of the bohemian traveler. With interesting stories to tell, Yatra is a vibrant explosion of colourful fabrics fashioned into jackets, tunics, trapeze blouses and pants with cut work and beautiful embroidery. The intensely detailed garments reflect the chaos and colour of the streets of India; Shahani's homeland.

Each ensemble is a careful layering of naturally dyed ombre fabrics, embroidered, shagged, twisted and piped into playful rainbow wearable soft sculptures. Each piece is versatile in its wearability, to make for a whimsical gypsy of the world.

Karishma Shahani has a BA (hons) in Fashion: Design & Technology from The London College of Fashion

Via Vogue.in

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

Free Spirit

Suhana Medappa is a textile designer who works out of Bangalore. Using a combination of fabric and prints is her specialty. Having graduated from the Srishti school of Art, Design and Technology she realized that experimental screen print was her forte. After a stint with Satya Paul  as a textile designer in Gurgaon she moved back to Bangalore to start her own exploration with screen printing and thus began the journey towards Free Spirit. Free Spirit is the brand of printed clothing and home furnishing designed and printed by The PRINT Journal a company set up by Suhana in 2010.

Free Spirit scarves & stoles available at the MASALA CHAI store , Chennai

Anuj Sharma

Anuj Sharma's  design philosophy in a single word would be 'simplify'. His clothes are an exploration in simplicity of form, design and fabric. While this may sound a little clinical , the results are a stunning line of clean cut silhouettes . Sharma uses his signature single piece of cloth to fashion quirky and interesting drapes. In this collection ' Button Masala' , he creates structure and embellishment with rubberbands fastened to buttons. Genius! 

More at the  MASALA CHAI store, Chennai.