Rabari Collection by Doshi Levien for Nanimarquina

I’ll preface this post by saying that this was one of my Top 5 favourite products from Milan Design Week. Yep, 100% – these are that good. Designed by Doshi Levien for Spanish rug maker Nanimarquina, Rabari rug collection evokes “the sensual and shiny world of tribal folk embroidery of India.”

Manufactured in North India and, of it’s inspiration is derived from the Nomadic community of the Rabaris from Kutch region. The Rabari have a rich tradition of embroidery and textile work that resonated with Doshi, whose aunt ran an embroidery workshop in Ahmedabad, with 25 highly skilled craftswomen who were experts in hand embroidery, “working with glistening mirrors, silk and cotton thread and metallic sequins, amongst other non-precious materials. The women sat together on rugs on the floor, surrounded by these jewel like elements, scattered around them as they worked. Often collaborating in groups, the intricate embroideries took several days to complete”, explains Doshi.

Nipa Doshi, with the three Rabari rugs, and the Paper Planes chair designed for Moroso.

The collection features three carpets made from 100% New Zealand wool, utlising hand-knotted and hand-woven Sumak techniques. Nanimarquina launched the rugs at the Salone del Mobile in Milan in April.

“We wanted our collection for Nanimarquina to reference the unfinished embroideries like studies of different techniques in progress, as they gradually emerge over time. The spontaneous compositions of the rugs embody the serendipity and freedom to improvise inherent in each step of a handmade piece – joyful, irreverent and unique” – Doshi Levien.

I am a real sucker for projects which clearly reference designers’ past experiences, memories, ethnic origins and iconography, particularly when brought into a contemporary context such as this. For me, this is an example of design authenticity at it’s best.