8 International Designers Who Are Inspired By India | Verve Magazine - Part 6
India's premier luxury lifestyle women's magazine
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December 15, 2016

8 International Designers Who Are Inspired By India

Text by Sadaf Shaikh

They talk about Indian textiles, creative opportunities, and love for this dynamic country

6. KATHERINE NEUMANN
Founder of lifestyle brand House of Wandering Silk in New Delhi

Neuman was born to immigrant parents in Sydney. She worked for almost ten years with the French Humanitarian Organisation – ACTED – in Afghanistan, and travelled to over 70 countries in this process. In 2010, Katherine set up home in New Delhi and started House of Wandering Silk. She works with a network of partners to curate authentic, ethical and textile-based products using upcycled, handmade and vintage materials.

1. On Indian elements that entice her “I also love exploring places like Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, the ghats of Varanasi, the Bengali village where we do our kantha and the lakes in Pushkar. They make me feel like I’ve travelled back in time.”

2. On her clientele “I cater to women who value us as storytellers, where we narrate tales of our artisans and the journey of our products.”

3. On challenges “Quality control is a hassle since every product has to pass at least seven standard checks. Another bittersweet challenge is deciding which textile to work with since they are all so beautiful and there aren’t enough hours in the day!”

4. 3 adjectives that describe her brand “Authentic, ethical and beautiful!”

5. On her inspiration…. “Besides India, my designs are inspired by places like Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia where our textiles are woven and embellished. Once a particular fabric is used, my team and I brainstorm on how we can use the leftovers. Can we make one of our upcycled silk necklaces from the scrap? A patchwork quilt? Can we use it for trimming?”

6. On her favourite moment in India…. “It was my first trip to a rural Indian village in 2003. The villagers were suffering from drought and the families I met with were living in very challenging circumstances. Even so, they opened their homes to me with such generosity and kindness, that it made a lasting impression.”

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