Ruchi Mohinder

Ruchi Mohinder is an architect/ transit planner by day and an aspiring jewelry designer in her freetime. Even though she is based in Arlington, VA, she is very closely rooted to her Indian heritage. So, I try to use my unique perspective in  my jewelry designs. "I experiment with various materials (polymer clay, beads, metal, fabrics) and techniques to create affordable and unique jewelry. I like to call it  wearable art"

All pieces are handmade and range from vintage to modern designs.Visit her online store here.

Sofia Niazi

Love Sofia Niazi's quirky batik illustrations. London based Pakistani Niazi is also a comic book illustrator. "With my illustrations I normally limit myself to just using a black pen and I have a pretty clear idea of what image I’m going to make, but with painting it’s a completely different process. I don’t have anything to say when I start painting, my eyes and hands seem to have their own idea about what they’re going to show me. I’ve always had problems with using colour so batik is perfect for me; I treat the canvas like a massive colouring book. I draw outlines, with flour paste, of any images that pop into my head, then when its dry I just go for any colours I can mix, I have one rule though, no using the same colour twice, each one is different, even if only slightly. Once the painting in done then I can start thinking about what I can say with it, I find images which interact nicely with what’s on the canvas, this adds another meaning or builds on the mood of the painting." More at her website.

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