How were you drawn to textiles/apparel?
AV: Both of us come from diverse fields of education – I was from a Science background leading to Graphic Design and Richard is from an IT background. We suppose it was a calling to our real passions and giving in to our creative sides. Destiny has its own ways of leading one to the paths they are supposed to be on.
While working as a freelance graphic designer in Kolkata I was servicing a number of clients in the textile and fashion industry and started dabbling in textile design for further creative satisfaction. I applied for a post graduate program in Textile Design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and was pleasantly surprised to be selected for the course.
Richard was struggling to fit into the algorithms of binary codes when he finally gave in and applied for the post graduate program in Apparel Design at NID - he was elated to have been given a seat to pursue his calling.
RP: NID was the foundation for our friendship and the meeting of our creative visions. Being a multidisciplinary institute, it gave us an understanding of design as a whole, rather than in a particular field. Getting a hands-on education with artisans as well as understanding the limitations and possibilities of the craft sectors allowed us to explore working towards our own label. It also helped instill the values of handmade, which we have carried forward into our label as well as design intervention opportunities.
How did the ‘amrich’ label come about?
AV: As students at NID, understanding and respecting each other’s strengths and limitations, we decided on starting a clothing label some day in the future. However, as luck would have it, we were chosen to represent ourselves as well as NID at the Gen-next Show at Lakme Fashion Week.
RP: We worked on a line paying homage to the ancient craft of natural indigo dyeing and added the element of hand-crafted Itajime shibori to offer newness to the Indian fashion scenario. This was way back in 2006; the craft of Itajime shibori had not yet invaded the country and so we packed our bags and went and worked with a Bandhani craftsman in Kutch. We taught him the basics of the technique so as to fulfill production orders, if any, and the rest is history!
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
The perfect balance
Aniruddh Mehta is as much graphic designer as visual artist, and he tries to do justice to both through his work at Studio Bigfat
The Nature of Light
Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth of Klove Studio combine the delicacy of hand blown glass with the sturdiness of metals to create a breathtaking range of lighting options.
The Creative curve
As partners at GCD Studios, graphic designers Shahana Jain and Devshree Sahai contribute enthusiastically to the ‘creation of ideas without boundaries’.
All ABOUT SCALE
A well known industrialist, Dr. Naushad Forbes is Co-Chairman, Forbes Marshall, India's leading steam engineering and control instrumentation company. He is on the Board of several educational institutions and public companies and was recently listed in the Indian Express list of the 100 most influential Indians. His is also a familiar name in Indian design circles. As former Chairman Governing Council National Institute of Design (NID), and Chairman India Design Council (IDC), Dr. Forbes has been able to work at bridging the still large gap between industry and design in the country.
NO NEED TO HIDE
By encouraging traditional leather artisans to explore recycled rubber and other material, Sudheer Rajbhar is giving them the opportunity to keep their skills alive
A NATURAL INSTINCT
Nibha Sikander’s 3D figures of birds and insects are intended to draw attention to the wonders of nature. She tells Sonalee Tomar of ‘The Indian Curator’ how she was drawn to the art of paper-cutting.
A moving experience
Amrish Patel and Darshan Soni came together to share a common vision that has since come alive through striking explorations of kinetic art
The Richness Of Handmade
Amit Vijaya and Richard Pandav are committed to bringing together many hands and hearts through their clothing label ‘amrich’
Bringing Ideas To Life
Creative Director at her eponymous design studio, Sharon Nayak picked up the camera to bridge the gap between her creative vision and its photographic execution
The Striking Right Note
Johnny Ganta might have made a career in music if he hadn’t chosen to work at being a master visual storyteller instead
