Monsoon Fair!

It's the time of the year again, when monsoon blues hit the city! And these blues are not the kind that will get you down, but the kind that will fill your life, erm...if not life, definitely your home and your wardrobe with all possible hues and shades of : b l u e! 

An Indian Summer is very happy to partner with : b l u e, the Red Earth Design Mela, part of the annual Monsoon festival, run by the brilliant Himanshu Verma of Red Earth India. 

Take a look at the details below:

Designers:

Be part of this exclusive curated event! There is still time to send in your proposals. Write to himanshu@redearthindia.com with your portfolio. The bluer, the better :)

You and Me:

It's happening again! Yaay! Hope you didn't miss out the one last year? Mark your calendars now for next month!

Date:

Aug 23rd - 24th

Venue:

Alliance Francaise de Delhi

72, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi

On Facebook

[Images: Red Earth, Amru, Not Like You. Event Promotion Partner: 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 ~

Pappadumis 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]

The Good Peeps..

..at GoodHomes Magazine

Set up a pretty pretty lunch 

The gorgeous editor and her super team

Graciously invited me and some fabulous fellow bloggers

 We met, we ate, we drank, we laughed

We ooh-aahed

We got inspired by each others' amazing blogs

And left after those few charmed hours

With happy memories and new friends

And a heartfelt Thanks on our lips

For the Good Homes team!

Ronitaa, Simrat, Dipti, Vanita and Rajavi: Thank you for organizing a lovely get together and inviting us! 

Rajee and Prachi: So good to meet again :)

Shalini, Lakshmi, Priti, Misha, Aarti: It was such a pleasure meeting you and hope we meet again soon!

    

Shiro and Parul: Thank you for hosting all of us!

 [Pics courtesy: Priti and GoodHomes]

~

And while I am talking about good peeps

I do need to mention the ones at

 Elle Decor

Mrudul and Karishma: Thank you so much for featuring An Indian Summer as part of your feature on Indian design blogs! Much appreciated!

Take a look at the brilliantly put together anniversary issue of Elle Decor, if not done so already. You will find An Indian Summer, and three of my favorite blogs and their authors, on Page 138 :)

[Image: Clicked by me. Additional accessory: The Owl]

Jaypore!

Hurrah! 

Happy days are here!

For there is a beautiful online app that has been launched

To bring hand picked treasures 

Right on to your iPad!

Jaypore, is made of a handful of dweebs who are passionate about craft, artisans, design and above all, connecting savvy shoppers with unique, one-of-a-kind products found in the remotest corners of the world. The team at Jaypore, start their journey in India, and have connected with designers and craftsmen in awe-inspiring places like Jaipur, Goa, Pondicherry, Tibet, and more. Spread across India and the Bay Area, the Jaypore team firmly believes that shoppers around the world deserve more than the mass-produced so-called ethnic designs and fashion big box retailers peddle. And that the independent artisans around the world deserve access to a world of consumers seeking out unique global treasures.

This is what the team at Jaypore have to say about their creative venture:

Jaypore is about bringing the world a little closer together. We discover the best designs from artisans and craftsmen from countries around the world, and deliver them at exceptional value to our members. Every day, visit us on your iPad to discover a new story. We don't like to call them sales, or events. We are storytellers; about amazing product, and the people behind them. Jaypore focuses on products with unique, high quality craftsmanship; unmistakably local designs that feel at home anywhere in the world. Our products include home decor, accessories, jewelry, apparel, gifts, vintage items and more..

Jaypore is currently available to all ipad users in the US. Access to Jaypore is granted only via an exclusive invitation code, and for you, my favorite peeps, the access code is INDIANSUMMER. For my adorable peeps who are not in the US, fret not! Jaypore would very soon be available on iphone and via an online store, with plans to retail in other countries too. And you would still be able to use INDIANSUMMER to gain access to this fabulous store!

Excited? :)

Here's a quick recap of what you need to do to shop these gorgeous products:

1. Download Jaypore app for ipad from the itunes stores (currently available for US only)
2. Use the invite code INDIANSUMMER to gain access
3. Create your unique login ID and password
4. Shop away!


[All images: Jaypore and An Indian Summer. Jaypore on facebook]