Portfolio Nishita Malik
Its Just Me with a creative streak and inculcated skills, striving to be great at my work..
I Believe I have miles ahead of me to explore and achieve and I know I will do it.. Love it when the inner kid takes command.. Like my quirkiness that I have and I Like to appreciate the small nothings in my own way.. Find the mundane things in life interesting.. Am Inspired by Play of color, Popular Art, Kitsch form of art, Graphics.. Follow the “Style meets Street� statement ..
There is a carnival today, of bright light and flooded streets There is a carnival tomorrow on the same street. Meet me on that "sadak" and you will know where.
I “Command”
Do it like a dude! You dont need to be a man to get into a Jacket. Although u might need to be a woman to look this good.
Vintage Vanity
How perfect did she
look in her perfect corset, It was titanic,It was love, It was vintage and It was brilliant. This is inspired from that memory, Crafted for modern times.
Drama
Less is more, or more is less. Printed white; or printed black. You can wear it both at night and in light.
The inspiration has been derived from M.C Escher work.He played with architecture, perspective and impossible spaces. His art continues to amaze and wonder millions of people all over the world. In his work we recognize his keen observation of the world around us and the expressions of his own fantasies. I am always wandering around in enigmas. There are young people who constantly come to tell me: you too are making Op Art. I haven't the slightest idea what that is, Op Art. I've been doing this work for thirty years now" -M.C Escher
Shisha
I want to be somewhere , Where I live behind veils, And deep in dream, Try and imagine, A world that's far away..
The dress captures the archaic essence of the ancient hookah in its form and colors combining it with some chic elements of the modern times . The royal blue has been used to follow the color scheme of the mughal era,mingling the blue with the rustic beige raw silk brings out the rustic feel and antiquity.
The structured cowls have been derived to trace the multi-tiered flowing shape of the hookah combined with contemporary crispness.
Print INC.
Wear it the traditional way or the corporate way .A basic kurti that can be worn as a dress teamed with a leather belt and bag and it still does not lose its Indian essence.The simple flower motif block printed in the two muted shades over the green make an earthy yet bold style statement.
A Class Apart
The vintage vinyl yet the new school cool.
This classic Waistcoat has been created as a versatile asset for both formal and casual ensemble. The waistcoat can act attractive, classic and flattering accompaniment to a formal suit or a casual shirt. The neutral and dark colors makes it compatible with almost everything in the wardrobe. Its an extremely versatile asset .
Retro Chic
“Rewind” Its all about Retrospection.
The ensemble is about the retro glam presented in a fun way. An abstract shape, polka dots and quirky vintage accents come together to create a fun retro-inspired attire. The classic black dress maintains the richness while the funky neck piece created out of cassette tape peps it up! The cassette tapes that have become a thing of the past have been used to create a neckpiece.The cassette tapes have been stitched together in loops over a black felt and net strap which is attached with thin electrical wire in 7 colors to give a quirky look. A complete use of Retro Elements!
Exploring Surfaces And Creating Products>>
Front
Back
The Skew surface techique is used here.It can be applied in various forms to create a variety of products in which a thick base material like acrylic is used.Threads are used to form a skew surface and are fixed in place by winding around nails which are drilled in an acrylic base.
A Belt hand crafted that can be worn in two or more ways. The main techniques used are Knitting and Crochet.A bow and a tie -up detail at the back enhances the look along with functional utility.
A Wallet made of Khaddar as base fabric
and the surface is created by Embroidery technique.A combination of stitches of the Phulkari and Kantha are used. Geometrical motif that is the modification of the traingle used in phulkari and the colors are also chosen keeping the phulkari technique in mind.
Craft Documentation Mata Ni Pachedi
we were divided into groups and each group was given the task of documenting a craft of a cluster or an area.It was a 4 week project including visiting the craft cluster and documentation. Mata-ni-pachedi, a matchless mĂŠlange of fascinating colors, enchanting tales, unmatched skills and faith that knows no boundaries, ideally exemplifies glorious Indian traditions.The art is passed on from one generation to the other and this is the sole reason that this art is still vivacious and breathing. The two centers where this craft is still thriving in Ahmedabad are Vasna and Mirzapur.At Vasna, Manubhai Chitara has been working with this craft since years, having won the National Award for the same. We during our craft documentation explored the unending twisting and turning path of artisans who in their full glory mystically turn a blank canvas into a Pachedi. Just like everything else in India each and every aspect and each and every detail in a pachedi has a deep meaning and a religious belief attached to it which in turn acts as a motivation not just for the craftsmen but also the admirers of the art. Despite the commercialization of this craft at the end of it all, a handcrafted pachedi with all its slight imperfections not just glorifies religion but also art and textiles which are no less than the former. From being the temporary shrine of the poor to marking its presence in the textile museums and top art gallaries , the Mata Ni Pachedi has come a long way . Even after centuries it continues to be worthy of respect and admiration.
Internship
The Firm
Internship Period
December, 2010
The experience The aim of the industry internship at Paras Industries in Mumbai which handles production of the garments of various brands national and international such as Primark,Orchestra,Forever 21,Mufti and many more was to get an hand’s on experience in the apparel industry and understand the designer's role and responsibility in this context.I got to understand the relationship between design and production by observing the various departments that work in co-ordination in an export house.. The Inputs acquired during this internship were : · Interpretation of elements that form a commercial collection · Range planning as a synthesis of creativity and utility · Developing color ways · Trade sketching · Methods and places of sourcing · Vendors terms and policies · Types of fabrics/trims used · Pattern making · Cutting and stitching · Fit and grading · Quality measures · Finishing and packaging · Press release and articles published · Export formalities · Look book and shoots
The Firm
Internship Period
June - July, 2011
The experience The O LAYLA store sits in a quiet back lane in Hauz Khas Village and has its workshop and head office at Mumbai.It is owned by Ritu Kumar - a Mumbai based fashion stylist who previously created the popular fusion label MOKSH. She is also the designer for the in house label O LAYLA.Along with that she is an entrepreneur, the founder and creative director of O Layla .Her retail store is in Delhi which also provides opportunity, support and advice to emerging urban designers and labels who share its vision of sustainable fashion. Her signature style is very kitschy and a mix of traditional with western.She strongly believes in the process of upcycling and recycling and also incorporates a lot of crafts that belong to India in her designs so that the very fast deteriorating crafts are alive.
The experience I had at O Layla under Ritu Kumar was very different from what I presumed.The exposure I got made me understand the importance of craft and art. During Internship I assisted and supervised the processes and I now realise the importance of every minute detail which earlier I would not have Thought of.The most Important and amazing experience was to see my own work translate materialistically into a viable and commercial product.
Above: Left:-The black mirror embroidery dress. Right-The yoke is made of mirror embroidery and the gathering is in panels in the front.The dress is made in black to give it a sleek western look.
Below:A closer look. The back has pleats on the shoulder level and the yoke has brass loop buttons.
Fabric:Black bamboolinen with a voile
Project 1 The concept of this project was to design semi formal dress which can be worn like a kurti also.The embroidery that is the Gujrat mirror work embroidery is the main part which makes the look different.Even phulkari technique has been used.The embroidery is done in such a way that the garment gets a western appeal with an ethnic look.
Above: Left-The kaftan top with a waist belt with mirror work done by machine embroidery. Right:A Kalamkari Sari is used in the front and the back is plain blue. Below:A detailed look of the back and the belt. Fabric:A kalamkari sari is used in the front with a plain blue cotton mul fabric at the back.The technique of color blocking also applies here.
Project 2 The second concept we were supposed to work on was garments to be made out of saris.The concept is basically up-cycling and Recycling.The saris are used in a western contemporary silhouttes to maintain the essence of ethnicity with a contemporary touch.Saris like the kalamkari saris of Andhra Pradesh And Kota saris of Jaipur have been used to make these garments.
Above: Left-A Ruffle dress made with a patch of mirror work embroidery and Kota Sari of Jaipur. Right-The front view of the knee length ruffle dress.The yoke of mirror work embroidery is used for decorative purpose in a princess cut. Below-The back has an elastic smocking done so that the dress can fit two sizes or in between sizes and gives a perfect fit at the torso.
Project 3 The third project was to design a western dress falling into the resort wear line. A green kota sari of Jaipur has been converted into a western dress using mirror embroidery as an accent.Its A Maxi dress made along with mirror work embroidery with ruffles at the bottom.It is in various color combinations following the same style.
Above: Left-The kid’s wear jacket is made out of brocade fabric with fleece lining .The surfaces are made out of fabrics like cotton silk,tissue,sequined fabric and trims like bright covered potli buttons have been used as it is a kids wear line. Below: Left:The four types of flowers are made in bright colors with differant materials. Right1.A closer view of surface on jacket. 2..Flowers made out of cotton silk by the method of gathering and knotting 3.Flowers made out of tissue fabric by the folding and unfloding method.
Project 4 The design brief for this project was to generate surfaces for kid’s wear jacket.The surfaces were to be made by re- cycling left over fabrics and other trims like buttons.The jackets are made out of brocade fabric with fleece lining and the surfaces are flowers in bright colors to give it a very kiddish and fun look.The surfaces were made by using the origami techniques and then added onto the jacket after placement is decided.
Craft Based Surface Development
Theme: The kuna tribe of Panama. The kuna are famous for their bright Molas, a colorful textile art form.The elements I have taken from the tribe is the way they take inspiration from the life around them and incorporate them in their molas in the form of motifs.I have incorporated motifs taken from the daily life around us like autos,kettles,phones developed by using various hand craft and machine techniques.
Front
The Garment:
Back
The garment designed and made is a basic black cropped waistcoat with the graphic of a vintage phone developed by hand crafted techniques like ari- work and machine embroidery.The back has kantha embroidery done in a line on the princess cut.The waistcoat is made in black twill weave gabardine fabric with a blue cotton mal lining inside.
Applique
Couching
Applique
Ari work
Applique
Kantha and Ari work
The Samples: The intial samples were developed in various techniques by the artisans.This was done to understand the visual appeal of each technique and differant motifs are used in all samples to see their aesthetic appeal and get an idea how would they appear when incorporated in the garment made.The differant techniques used are: Applique, Ari-work, Kantha embroidery and Machine embroidery.
Styling And Photography
Kitsch Chic Style Color Block used with Traditional Kitsch Elements.
Break Away Military Style Gets Quirky!
Ape The Celebrity ! A shoot aimed at recreating a famous celebrity’s style Statement. Style Sharmila Tagore Way !
The Nerd Story! All About Geeks And Chic!
Rewind to the 60's Go back in time with The Bouffant,Romper and Canvas shoes Style.
Let Loose Go the Uber Cool Casual way And manage to look Fab.
Collection Exploration
Corporate Chic
c
An Amalgamation of Various Elements. Using woven pochampally Ikat fabric in a contemporary and Flamboyant way in western forms and silhouttes instead of the printed Ikat which is being used in most of the garments and products recently..The woven form has a charm which cannot be replaced. Mixing the Pochampally Ikat fabric with other fabrics like wovens itself like linen ,with knits and with twill fabric. A play of colors.Mixing of muted everyday wear neutral shades with bright shades Of the woven pochampally Ikat fabric.
A Glimpse! Design Inputs & Styling For Photoshoots At O Layla as an Assistant Designer. Courtesy: O Layla Fashions Pvt Ltd
Contact 0-8806308494/9699045653 Nishitamalik@Ymail.com