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.

 

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

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

Fast Date with me

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

Suman Mishra

Suman Mishra is a Delhi-based jewelry designer.Suman's design sensibility is heavily influenced by traditional jewelry from several cultures across the world. Tibetan, Rana Tharu (Nepal), Aztec, Ancient Egyptian, Etruscan and Masai (Africa) Jewelry are some of the chief inspirational starting points for her. "The time-tested silhouettes make sense each time," she says. "They have a natural harmony that is aesthetically sound, which I want to bring into my designs." 

The natural colors of gemstones also help in her design process. Suman likes to have fun with textures in Silver as well as eclectic and unusual combinations in gemstones. She often creates one-off pieces. Suman is self-taught.


Available @ 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. 

Pavitra Mohan for Grazia Magazine

Featured on the Oct 2010 edition of Grazia magazine, 8 jewelry designers to keep an eye on- by Pavitra Mohan of MASALA CHAI. 

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.

Cheap Sex

"We here once asleep in our studio la Gulabo Chhap Design Works were summoned by Goddess Aphrodite and Goddess Baubo together and were commanded to tickle the human race every now and then in order for them  to survive the fatalities of vidas urbanas."

Founded in January 2010… Cheapsex Boxers , India’s first unisex graphix boxer shorts label was thus born. A product of the whimsical duo, Brijesh Dahiya & Kuldeep Singh, the label today is synonymous with kitsch gone kinky and  twisted humor. As much as the world is over populated with people who try too hard at making beautiful clothes (with few succeeding!!)..we really needed somebody who tried equally hard at making sure there is much respect still in our lives for cheap thrills and smaller bills.

Cheap Sex uni sex boxers available at the MASALA CHAI store soon

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.