The mountains are calling and I must go… for their flora and fauna, clear skies and the relaxed light air sans any pollution – my sanity depends on it! It struck me when I came across LAÏTEworks (spelt as light-works) by Saurabh Banka. Couldn’t stop admiring his quirky embroidered miniatures of the mundane strewn on stoles, shirts and pouches projecting a nonchalant playful attitude.
His
Bankas’s design background: I graduated from NIFT, New Delhi in 2007. And started working with Rajesh Pratap Singh. In 2008, I moved to Paris and studied Masters in Fashion Design from IFM (Institut Français de la Mode). Following that, I took up a job as an Embroidery Designer for a French label Rue du Mail by Martine Sitbon. And in 2016, I moved to India to start my own brand LAÏTEworks.
Techniques used: The brand focuses on developing hand-embroidery with a mix of aari and convent along with Kantha (traditional embroidery of West Bengal).
Inspiration: It comes from observing the little details seen everywhere in Paris….possibly the bookshops, cafés, boulangeries or pastry shops, people and homes all around me.
I love collecting wrapping and packaging paper.
And am equally inspired from the world of Wes Anderson. I can imagine my creations in his film.
Her
Access to LAÏTEworks in India:
Ogaan, Khan Market, New Delhi.
Second Floor Studio, Shahpurjat, New Delhi
Concept Boutique Store, Jaipur.