Textile Swatches

A morning in Malleswaram

While in Bangalore, a few friends and I decided to start the morning in Malleswaram. We picked up South Indian breakfast at Veena stores and then we headed over for a picnic at one of the pretty neighborhood parks for a laughter filled start to the day!  

Malleswaram is one of the cultural hubs of the city and is one of the oldest residential neighborhoods. Filled with trees, parks, lots of Hindu temples, a fantastic flower and vegetable market and the hustle and bustle of stores and activity. It is one of my most favorite parts of the city to wander in and feel inspired. It also inspired the fictional book 'Malgudi Days' by author R.K. Narayanan. The title Malgudi is based on 2 neighborhoods of bangalore- Malleswaram and Basavangudi.

 

 

 

                                                                             

 

 

Here are some visual treats from our walk through the markets in the neighborhood. 

 

The hats and the whimsy!

 
 
Hats, used primarily as head coverings, have been around for a long, long time. Women, from the early days were expected to have their heads covered by veils, hoods, etc. It was not until the end of the 16th century that women's structured hats started to be seen, and in the late 17th century women's headgear started to be seen as fashion. The word, 'milliner', a maker of women's hats originated from the city of Milan, where the best quality hats were made in the 18th century.

The hats at the Royal Wedding were fabulous and so whimsical. Here are some of my favorites...

Bombay (and India) is in Bliss!

 

Following India's World Cup Cricket win on April 2nd, 2011- there has been much rejoicing and excitement all around India and especially the city of Mumbai- where the final was played. The last time the Indian team won was in 1983- I was in school in Bombay at the time!

Here is some video footage and images that capture the feelings and joy that was experienced all around the country.

 

 

To view our Bombay Bliss collection check out our site http://www.seemakrish.com

 

Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave

I'm so inspired by the show I saw last Saturday at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. My friend and mentor, Yoshiko Wada, took me to see the terrific and inspiring exhibit, 'Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave'

Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave is a painter by training, who for more than fifteen years, has created an astonishing and original body of work. After a visit to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in the mid 90s, she was inspired to experiment with fashion design through the medium of paper. 

Painting and manipulating paper, she forms trompe l'oeil masterpieces of elaborate historical dresses. Her work spans 300 years of fashion history from Elizabeth I to Coco Chanel- encompassing the worlds of Mariano Fortuny and 19th c. Venice, the Medici costumes from the Renaissance, gowns worn by Elizabeth I and Marie-Antoinette to the creations of the grand couturiers Frederick Worth, Paul Poiret, Christian Dior and Coco Chanel, and even kaftans of ikat and suzani patterns.

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The exhibit will run till June 5th, 2011 at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco

 

Upcoming: Sonia Delaunay exhibit at The Cooper Hewitt

I'm looking forward to seeing the exhibit-Color Moves: Art and Fashion by Sonia Delaunay  She is one of my favorite Abstract Modernist artists. Her work radiates movement and color and makes me happy! She started as a painter and was later known for her designs on fabrics and fashion. The show will feature her work from the 1920s through the 1940s when she was exploring the relationship between fabrics and contemporary art in terms of movement and color.

At the Cooper Hewitt Museum, NYC. March 18th- June 5th, 2011

I own 2 books about her work-

And have pre-ordered- the book accompanying the show at the Cooper Hewitt.