Made In India
Thomas Goode x Sabyasachi
Last September, we saw the collaboration of one of London’s oldest luxury retailer, Thomas Goode & Co., with Indian couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee to create a new wedding trousseau line consisting of elegant ceramics.
The former, founded in 1827, offers an unrivalled section of china, silver and glassware from the world’s finest brands, while the latter is an established cultural and creative icon and India’s most sought after bridal designer.
As the two come together with their distinct aesthetics and style statements, the design ideology of the very first collaboration of bespoke dinner plates take their inspiration from Calcutta and India while exposing local flora and fauna, fables and parables - recreated through a hyper imaginative lens of Sabyasachi, hand-rendered by 43 artists from his foundation.
This new collection also includes bespoke dinner service designs, glassware, the finest table linen and other decorative delights which encapsulate beauty, craftsmanship and luxury.
TO&FROM
Bringing in new age contemporary tableware, emerging design studio and homeware brand TO&FROM, a London based design studio founded in 2016, launched a boutique concession at Thomas & Goode, in Mayfair. Under the new custodianship of Johnny Sandelson, Thomas Goode & Co’s vision is to support new designers and makers within this historic shop. TO&FROM is the first company to be invited to share the space.
In collaboration with master craftsmen from Jaipur and from around the world, the collection of tableware is made from natural materials, designed in partnership with illustrator Louise Lockhart. Supporting works of other makers and artists, TO&FROM’s own collections on display include the ceramic tableware collection, Eccentric, from Dutch workshop Cor Unum, Katie Walker’s Windsor rocker chair and new work by Dutch artist Monique Ten Bosch.
In the words of owner Johnny Sandelson – “TO&FROM offers a contemporary take on traditional styles of homeware that Thomas Goode & Co has stocked for centuries, the juxtaposition now present in our store offers some very fresh possibilities. Their open-minded and international view on what local craftsmanship and British luxury means is something we’re really excited to see more of ”.
Tiipoi
Product Design Studio, Tiipoi is pushing boundaries of crockery for tea-ware by introducing a stainless steel teapot inspired by the durable, no-frills seen in Indian kitchens and cafes across the country.
Tiipoi plays a significant role in challenging the choice of coffee makers in stainless steel complete with a drip-free spout, a locking lid, a heat-resistant bakelite handle and an inbuilt filter, the tall, tapered shape of the teapot brews up to 6 cups of tea (1.2L) and makes it easy to pour.
While there is a tradition of coffee makers in stainless steel, it has not been the preferred choice for tea. Tiipoi is challenging this notion through a design and material that has resolved typical problems with any given teapot, such as drips, loose lids and handling while pouring.
Designed in London and made in a family-owned workshop in Moradabad, each teapot is handcrafted using a traditional metal spinning process. Being a limited edition, it’s currently made in small batches of 150.
UAL, Textiles
An Indian Traffic Jam
Specialist Technician of Print and Dye at Central Saint Martins (CSM), University of the Arts London (UAL), Tansy Hamley got funded by her university’s ‘REFRESH’ programme and took the opportunity to travel to Jaipur to take her practice forward.
She discusses her experience in Jaipur, as she took part in a course called ‘Wonderful Workshops’ held by the Jaipur Virasat Foundation Heritage Charity. While she picked up some Rajasthani techniques like “dhabu” mud resist printing, woodblock printing and indigo vat dyeing, she also spent time in visiting villages and small factories to get a glimpse of the livelihoods of local artisans.
Taking inspiration from the colourful streets of Jaipur, she started adapting the sheer excitement and vibrancy she felt into her print designs which became a USP.
Forward Culture
Inspired by the creative, intelligent and bold South Asian women, Aaminah and Seetal founded two-brown girls giving a platform to build conversations around and for like-minded individuals back in the day.
Exceeding expectations, the platform transformed into a buzzing community in no time with women from all across sharing ideas and opinions on body image, intergenerational conflict, leading a double life, and feeling completely isolated and invalidated within the realms of their ethnicity. What succeeded such a tremendous response was the launch of Forward Culture, a social initiative that aimed to craft an ever-changing, ever-relevant narrative on multicultural identity.
Forward Culture, based in London, now actively runs personal development projects and uses creativity to unlock the potential for more confident, empowered, bold and curious British South Asian women. Making a huge impact on the rising generation, the community supports artists and provides an opportunity for networking.
As the founders say, “Forward Culture is here for the future” as it brings in an understanding of ourselves and each other fitting in the bigger picture of society.
Words by Gneev Nagi