Edida
EDIDA India 2016: And the winner is…
DEC 9, 2016 | By Tasneem Merchant
Our annual round-up of the best in design that inspire with their groundbreaking forms–a result of meticulous research and hardwork. Presenting the movers and shakers of tomorrow–winners of the 15th ELLE DECOR International Design Awards (EDIDA) India 2016
Designer of the Year: Ashiesh Shah
The multitalented Mumbai designer and architect has dabbled across all categories of decor: From lighting and interiors to furniture and surfaces, there are hardly any areas he has left untouched. His vast portfolio includes works with equally diverse materials–glass, marble, metal, plywood, and even stone and terracotta. His creations are a unique blend of aesthetics and functionality; opulence and simplicity that are Indian at heart and global in outlook. He possesses the unique ability to transform fundamental designs into ornamental pieces. Website: www.ashieshshah.com
Young Talent: Advaeita Mathur
For the New Delhi based maker’s latest products –Molten Woods table and the Vintage Music Instrument lamps, sustainability was the keyword. While the former was made from discarded scrap metal and fallen timber, the latter reutilises dysfunctional trombones, trumpets, alto horns and other wind organs as beautiful illuminators. Website: www.facebook.com/studio.metallurgy
Bathware: Abraham & Thakore, Aneeth Arora & JJ Valaya for FCML Surfaces
Three of the country’s best fashion designers got together to create The Incidental Collection of tiles for FCML Surfaces. Each of them produced three ranges: David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore’s range showcased nature and typographical motifs; Aneeth translated floral designs into ceramic; while JJ Valaya was influenced by the Mughal era.Website: www.fcmlindia.com
Tabletop: Matteo Cibic for Scarlet Splendour
A throwback to the silent movie era, Vanilla Noir was made with a special resin inlay technique. The Italian innovator’s fruit bowls from the series for the Kolkata based luxe furniture label Scarlet Splendour, are dominated by black and white stripes with a brilliant red base. Website: www.matteocibicstudio.com
Wall finishes and Coverings (Joint Winners): Rohit Mankar & Pinkish Shah and Shilpa Gore Shah for lace fence
The Twisted Screen for an Alibaug house was crafted out of Corten steel. The rotated square grids can be used as an area segregator or window jali. Mesh Screen envisioned for a Navi Mumbai abode depicts a vertical Brindavan Garden. Website: www.parallaxdesignstudio.com; www.facebook.com/spsarchitects18
Furniture (Joint Winners): Sahil Bagga & Sarthak Sengupta for Arttd’inox and Ajay Shah
New Delhi based innovative duo Sahil and Sarthak’s Kutch collection, part of a larger Gujarat series, found its muse in the village mud houses of the same district. The Table That Almost Wasn’t by Mumbai creative Ajay was made of folded aluminium sheets. Website: www.sahilsarthak.com; www.rubberbandproducts.com
Flooring: Rooshad Shroff for Cocoon Fine Rugs
The Mumbai based designer’s Tesellations series for Cocoon Fine Rugs, hand-knotted by artisans in Jaipur, comprises seven carpets with various geometrical forms that morph into each other, creating hybrid patterns. Website: www.rooshads.wix.com/rooshadshroff
Lighting (Joint Winners): Prateek Jain & Gautam Seth and Saif Faisal
EDIDA Designers of The Year 2015, the New Delhi duo behind Klove Studio, Prateek and Gautam designed the Nordic collection made of their trademark material—handblown glass. It features illuminators that mimic scenery from the region which includes Stag Chandelier, blooms and icebergs. Bengaluru’s Saif created the Poise lamp to serve as a floor and also a task light. It combines aluminium or brass and wood,and is available in two different sizes. Website: www.klovestudio.com; www.saif-faisal.com
Bedroom: Rakeshh Jeswaani & Roomi Maneckshaw
Founders of Mumbai outfit Curiosity Furniture realised the Khatiya Ottoman, influenced by the Indian charpoi, as a lesson in minimalism and simplicity. The piece was made by pulling a single, thick leather skin over a cross wooden base. The fabric has a criss-cross pattern allowing it to stretch while also creating interesting patterns through a play of light and shadow.
Website: www.curiosity.in
Fabrics: Sarah Fotheringham & Maninder Singh
Hailing from New Delhi, the duo produces fabrics that have characteristically happy patterns. Their travels to Japan are reflected in the Woven Kawaii line, which features three distinct designs: Peace Hands, Festival and Crane. Website: www.safomasi.com
Kitchen: Suneet Varma for Arttd’inox
The New Delhi couturier’s primary venture into the homeware category hearkens back to the Indus Valley civilisation. The stainless steel bowls get their shape from the earliest utensils typical of the area. They are hand-beaten and embellished with floral motifs crafted using the Chitai technique.
Website: www.suneetvarma.in
Student of the Year: Nupur Priya
A student of Masters in Furniture and Interior Design at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Nupur created Capular, a concrete aggregate, sand and cement stackable storage cum seating objects with the principle of encouraging conversation. The lid can be crafted from various materials including wood, stone and granite.