हवेली dIARIES

“…I began dancing Bharatnatyam at the age of five, captivated by the intricate mudras and the rhythm of Indian music that HARMONISED with the city's pulse. It fascinated me to use the body as a visual language, with different symbols representing various emotions and words in Hindi. I loved the JEWELLERY and makeup, but it was the textiles that particularly intrigued me. At a young age, I would take the leftover fabrics from my kurtas for dance class and dress my Dolls, marking the beginning of my conscious appreciation for indian design and Indian textiles.

Our dance teacher would show us photos of Mughal maharanis from miniature paintings, capturing them in various dance positions for us to mimic. I was in awe of these paintings, mesmerized by the intricate details of the scenes and the exquisite drapery. I dreamed of growing up to be just as elegant, surrounded by nature and adorned in incredible block-printed fabrics. Now, I want to share that vision of elegance and beauty with all of you in my 21st century rendition “almond eyes, lotus feet.”

“…As a young girl, I adored reading romance novels about princesses in faraway castles, as i’m sure many other girls did too, But my princesses ‘rani’s’ lived in palaces, wearing beautiful lehengas and jewels, with fresh flowers in their hair and mehendi on their hands. They were always surrounded by stunning textiles, block-printed lehengas and saris. The fact that I get to wear these same types of beautiful textiles now, in the 21st century, feels like such a privilege. When I wear my block prints, I feel like royalty, and that’s exactly how I want everyone who wears them to feel.

The cotton is so light weight, some of the prints designed by me, others are centuries in the making. Each piece is finished by artisans in India, with sustainability in mind, and made one-of-a-kind for someone who will truly love and take care of it.

I’m a huge thrifter and love finding unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, which is why I’m starting with a slow fashion mindset. I want each piece to feel like a treasure, something that only you have. I don’t remake pieces with the same fabric because I feel it loses its charm that way.

At the same time, I worry about block printing fading away if I don’t pour everything I have into keeping it alive. I’ve spoken with many printers, and the craft in India is traditionally passed down through generations, which is so special. But younger generations are losing interest in the trade, turning to technology instead. I understand—it’s not a well-paid job, but I hope to change that. One day, I want to use a haveli to start a fund for preserving Indian crafts, so skills like block printing aren’t forgotten and replaced by faster, less environmentally friendly methods like mass screen printing.

I want all little girls to be able to look back at the beautiful and fierce women of today and still be able to wear the same dresses and clothes as we have access to now…”

गजरा Gajra

Indian women wear flowers in their hair (Gajra) for a variety of cultural, religious, and aesthetic reasons. In many parts of India, wearing flowers in the hair is a traditional practice passed down through generations. It is seen as a symbol of femininity and grace.

Flowers are often offered to deities in Hindu rituals, and wearing them can be a sign of devotion and spirituality. During festivals, religious ceremonies, and pujas (prayers), women adorn their hair with flowers as part of the ritualistic attire.

Flowers are beautiful and their fragrance is pleasing. Adorning the hair with flowers enhances a woman's appearance and adds a touch of natural beauty.

During weddings, festivals, and other celebrations, women wear flowers to complement their traditional attire. It is a way to dress up and participate fully in the festive spirit.

In some regions, the way flowers are worn can convey social messages. For example, in South India, the type of flower and the manner in which it is worn can indicate whether a woman is married or unmarried.

Overall, wearing flowers in the hair is a multifaceted tradition deeply embedded in Indian culture, embodying elements of beauty, tradition, and spirituality.

आप कैसे हो

The phrase "Aap kaise hO" (आप कैसे हो) in Hindi translates to "How are you?" in English. This phrase is commonly used to inquire about someone's well-being. Breaking it down:

"आप" (aap): This word means 'you' in a formal and respectful manner.

"कैसे" (kaise): This word means 'how'.

"हैं" (hO): This word means 'are'.

The phrase is particularly useful when you want to ask someone about their health, condition, or emotional state. It is a part of polite conversation and is often used at the beginning of interactions in Hindi-speaking communities.

Table cloths

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Table cloths *

“…MY WHOLE LIFE I REMEMBER SITTING AT BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER AND WE ALWAYS HAD AN INDIAN BLOCK PRINTED TABLE CLOtH ON THE TABLE. five, WHICH WE RECYCLED EVERYDAY, THEY WERE FADED FROM YEARS OF WASHING, STAINED FROM MULTIPLE GLASSES OF WINE AND LOTS OF CANDLE WAX. in my opinion the best table cloths are the ones that have lived a full life, i hope the ones you buy from haveli may have the same experience with you, my advice is don’t be PRECIOUS with them they were meant to exist with you. They will tell your story over a life time of laughs, birthday wishes & many spills!"