Why India Inspires Designers: Madeline Weinrib

To celebrate the publication of Rajasthan Style, Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley sat down with some of her favorite designers and insiders—including John Robshaw, Suzanne Tucker and Madeline Weinrib—to discuss how India influences their work—plus, where they like to stay, shop and more.

Few names are more tied to the global textile movement than Madeline Weinrib. (Elle Decor credited her with introducing America to ikat.) Weinrib started as a painter, then moved from fine art into carpet design, and she traveled to India, Morocco and Uzbekistan to find ways of making traditional motifs feel contemporary. India has remained central to her work, both professional and philanthropic; she has also served as a trustee of Project Mala, a nonprofit that builds schools in India's carpet-weaving regions.

India is often celebrated for its fearless use of color. Has it changed the way you think about or work with color in your own projects?

Nothing has influenced my sense of color more than my travels to India. India's richness of color tells so many stories, from earthy tones to vibrant, saturated hues. You don't even need to have a destination to feel visually enchanted; the streets themselves are so alive with color that they create a visual experience unlike anywhere else.

Where do you love to shop, source or discover beautiful objects in India? Any favorite markets, workshops, galleries, museums or makers?

In Delhi:

• Good Earth: I have been a fan of Good Earth since they first opened their doors about 20 years ago. Good Earth has championed many of the crafts native to India while supporting the communities that practice them. Their latest project brings chintz back to its Indian roots. The collection is available in both their Delhi and Mumbai stores.
• Kashmir Loom: Each time I go to Delhi, I visit the Kashmir Loom store. Their embroidered shawls are gorgeous and highly collectible. They also make beautiful Kashmiri vests for men with Nehru collars. I buy them for my husband—I think men look so dashing in them.
• SABYASACHI: I always love visiting the Sabyasachi stores, not only for the products, but also because the interiors are so beautiful and lavish. All of Sabyasachi's stores have rich, dramatic interiors and are worth a visit whether you are shopping or not.
  

In Jaipur:

• Hot Pink: Hot Pink was the first store of its kind, carrying a range of designers with an East-meets-West sensibility. You can see why it's called Hot Pink.
• Anantaya: Anantaya has been one of my favorite home design shops in Jaipur for quite some time. I always buy a lot of gifts there. They have many small, handmade items that are special and easy to pack. Everything feels unique to this contemporary Indian design store, which has a distinctive point of view that blends Orientalism and minimalism.
• Anokhi: Anokhi is a longtime favorite for block prints among both locals and visitors to Jaipur. Their lightweight cotton kaftans are my go-to for hot summer days, and I have been buying them since my first visit to India. I travel with them wherever I go (I'm wearing one in the photo gallery of this article—on a beach in Mexico). They also have Jaipur's first organic café, which is wonderful for lunch or afternoon tea.
• The Gem Palace: No trip to Jaipur is complete without a visit to Gem Palace. Its story dates back to the Mughal Empire, when the family served as jewelers to the Maharajas. What better way to remember your trip than with a beautiful piece of jewelry from a house with such a rich heritage? They also have a selection of simple, elegant earrings with an East-meets-West sensibility for everyday wear. I also remember the beautiful saffron block print on the walls of their Jaipur store, made by a cousin of the family.

Which hotel (or two or three) in India do you think every design lover should experience? What makes it so memorable, and what should travelers or fellow designers pay attention to when they visit?

The Johri is the perfect place to stay in Jaipur if you are a fan of small boutique hotels. Created by interior designer and owner Naina Shah, each room is individually designed, blending Indian craft with her own unique sensibility. The hotel has a fabulous modern Indian restaurant. They also have a small boutique, available only to guests of the hotel. I am buying their beautiful embroidered red pillows.

Samode Palace is a bit off the beaten path, just outside Jaipur. It is a magnificent old palace that still retains its old-world charm and is an incredibly romantic place to stay.

I think the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur is about as close as you can get to heaven on earth.

Who are some of the emerging designers, artisans, galleries or creative studios in India that you're particularly excited about right now?

If you're a jewelry lover, make an appointment to visit the studio of designer Hanut Singh. His jewels remind me of Art Deco's Tutti Frutti with a rock 'n' roll sensibility. His pieces have a strong sense of personal style, and he has an exceptional eye for brilliant stones.

If you are interested in contemporary art, a must-see gallery in Delhi is Nature Morte. The gallery opened in 1997 and was among the early galleries to connect contemporary Indian artists with an international art audience.

Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations or collections you're especially excited about?

I am thrilled that this fall I will be collaborating with ABC Carpet & Home—my forever home away from home. I worked with Kashmir Loom, an India-based company, to create hand-painted papier-mâché Christmas tree ornaments and other products for gifting. The collection draws on miniature painting and papier-mâché, two crafts with a long tradition in Kashmir dating back to the 15th century. Kashmir Loom and I are both excited to be part of ABC's holiday story.