The Color-Drenched Textiles We Can't Resist

By Marni Elyse Katz
November 4, 2011

After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Bombay-born Seema Krish worked in the textile industry for 15 years, rising from swatch cutter to design director. She’s designed fabrics for topflight companies like Calvin Klein Home, Robert Allen, and Donghia, so it’s no surprise that she’d want to create a line of her own—a dream she realized in spring 2010 with her debut collection, “Bombay Bliss.”

The complete Seema Krish “Bombay Bliss” collection

While the designs were inspired by memories of her childhood in Bombay, the motivation for the line was borne from Krish’s desire to revive the textile arts practiced in Indian villages, but becoming extinct as people move into technology-driven fields. Her design process starts from the production angle, revolving around a specific craft. From there she imagines and develops the patterns that can be created using that technique.

Krish's fabrics are composed of natural fibers—linen, cotton, cotton voile and silk—and hand-blocked with low-impact dyes. The printing, embroidery, and appliqué processes are all carried out by skilled craftspeople in India, where Krish spends a good portion of her year.

pillows

A pile of pillows in the studio

The Lion's Paw

Seema Krish pillows on display at The Lion’s Paw boutique in Nantucket

Anthropologie

Seema Krish “Mahalaxmi” pillow poised atop an Indienne patterned patchwork quilt from Anthropologie in a Cape Cod guest room

South End condo

Pillows in Krish’s own Boston condo

The first collection included six patterns and 13 colors, for a total of 29 different combinations, one more gorgeous than the next. Krish is now preparing to launch her second collection, “Bombay Glitz.” The line draws on the glamour of Bollywood and encompasses intense jewel tones—amethyst, coral, amber—mixed with neutrals and antique-y metallics. She’s just arrived home in Boston after eight months in Bangalore. We caught up with her as she prepares for the Spring 2012 launch.

The Inside Source: How did your childhood in Bombay influence your designs?

Seema Krish: The sights, sounds, patterns, colors and the hustle bustle of the city are ingrained in my visual memory. Colorful clothing worn by women on the streets; the busy markets; the British Colonial architecture juxtaposed with the traditional Indian temples, buildings and homes; the colorful, patterned festival celebrations—particularly the Ganesh immersion festival and Holi, which is very energetic and colorful... There are dichotomies on several levels. I have to say, I took it all for granted and only became more aware and appreciative on my return to the city after having spent time away in New York City for college.

left: Textile designer Seema Krish.

The Inside Source: Do you draw on aspects of other cultures? Eras? Current fashions?

Seema Krish: Yes, absolutely. The Bauhaus movement and the art of Piet Mondrian and Gustav Klimt inspired me in college. Japanese design and its clever, minimalistic approach was a strong influence whilst I worked at Nuno in the mid-‘90s. I was very inspired by the artisanal approach to fabric production of the Italian mills in the Como area. I love the fashion of Dries van Noten, Marni, Etro and Madeleine Vionnet, especially the detailing of her era. My influences are so varied and such a mish-mash, but I think they’re apparent in my work.

Seema's Studio

Krish’s studio in Boston’s South End.

Seema's Studio

Another shot of the studio. (Photo courtesy of Style Court)

The Inside Source: What was your earliest design moment?

Seema Krish: Growing up I shared a bedroom with my older brother and since I was about seven or eight, I constantly wanted to rearrange and redecorate the room. It drove him crazy! My first design project was when I was 14: I helped renovate my parents’ apartment in Bombay. I recall loving shopping for objects with our interior designer at the Chor Bazaar, also called the Thief’s market, in Bombay. I knew I had found my calling!

The Inside Source: Current inspirations?

Seema Krish: I’m based out of Bangalore for the next eight-to-nine months, spending time on my production. It’s a really creative time for me as I’m enjoying interacting with the craftspeople. I love the creative energy and that comes from them. I’m enjoying being at the source of the process and this is inspiring a myriad of ideas.

inspiration board

A detail of Krish's inspiration board

Colorful embroidery threads

Colorful embroidery threads. (Photo courtesy of Style Court)

The Inside Source: What color combinations are you loving right now?

Seema Krish: The new collection, ‘Bombay Glitz’ is more sophisticated, with a restrained use of color combined with metallics. It draws on Bollywood and its glamour. It’s done in intense jewel tones—amethyst, coral, amber, and neutral sand, gray, and sage combined with antique silvers and golds.

Bombay Glitz

The color palette for Krish's second collection, “Bombay Glitz”

The Inside Source: Favorite artists?

Seema Krish: Brice Marden, Alexander Gorlizki, and Agnes Martin.

The Inside Source: Favorite designers?

Seema Krish: Reiko Sudo, Helle Jongerius, and Luisa Cevese.

The Inside Source: Any new projects on the horizon?

Seema Krish: I am currently focusing on distribution, widening the markets we are in and hoping to expand retail distribution. I would love to collaborate with European furniture manufacturers. I am interested in exploring outdoor fabrics too. Design-wise, for my next collections, I am hoping to work on some true ikats from Pochampalli, since I am currently inspired by Phulkari embroidery. I plan to work on textiles that combine these techniques within a modern vocabulary.

A patterns from the new collection on the printing table

Worli

A detail of “Worli” in Pathar Gray and Parrot Green. The fabric is 100 percent cotton khadi with blockprint, hand embroidery and silk applqué.

designs

Color copies of designs spread out on Seema's worktable are stitched with silk embroidery thread.

The Inside Source: Where would you most like to see one of your fabrics used?

Seema Krish: The biggest compliment came recently from my five-year-year old daughter, who exclaimed that she just loves my designs. She put in her ‘order’ for pattern combinations for her bedroom. It’s the best testament I could ever receive!

The Inside Source: Where are your favorite places to shop/find treasures?

Seema Krish: I do my best shopping when I travel, probably because I’m more relaxed and have more leisure time. Some of my scores and treasures include great rugs and ceramics from the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul, architectural prints from Vieux Lyon, and gorgeous glass from a hand-blown glass factory in Germany. I love shopping the local markets in India and always walk away with whimsical items that provide lots of inspiration.

The Inside Source: Do you ever hunt for things on eBay? Have you purchased anything?

Seema Krish: Yes! I confess to being an eBay junkie. But it goes in phases. I’ve purchased several treasures. My favorites are my mid-century era desk that I use in my studio and an out of print Sonia Delaunay ‘Atelier Simultanee’ book.