A Month That Moved Us
Journeys, collaborations, and quiet learning
November felt full of movement, conversations, and the kind of momentum that only becomes clear when you finally pause.
The month opened in Bombay, at the No Borders pop-up in Kotachiwadi- and as always, the city reminded us why it continues to hold such a tender place in our hearts. The turnout, the warmth, the conversations, the familiar and unfamiliar faces alike, everything felt like an embrace. We returned home carrying encouragement and kindness in equal measure, grateful and energised.
There wasn’t much time to slow down before we shifted gears and began preparing for Mercedes-Benz Sri Lanka Fashion Week. Designing the collection was one thing; packing it was another entirely. Measuring, weighing, reweighing, negotiating baggage limits- packing became its own quiet sport. By the end, everyone in the studio could claim a new, very specific skill.
Colombo felt like a reset. Clear skies, sunlight, and the closeness of water were a welcome contrast to Delhi’s heavy air and weeks of pollution. Our days were packed with fittings and meetings, but one moment stood out — a session with students at the Academy of Design. Speaking to young designers who are still finding their footing felt grounding. I left hoping that some part of our journey helped them see responsibility and care as something integral to design, not separate from it.
Fashion week itself unfolded with its usual intensity. No matter how prepared you think you are, there are always last-minute surprises. We were supported by a thoughtful team- Amesh’s guidance and Daniel and his team’s styling responded intuitively to the context, while remaining rooted in Lafaani’s core vocabulary. Just as everything settled, the weather shifted dramatically. Sunshine gave way to heavy rain and strong winds as a cyclone approached the southern coast. Leaving when we did, while many remained in danger, left us with a lot of unease. Our thoughts have stayed with those affected.
Back in Delhi, we received some unexpected news- Lafaani was selected under the Sustainable Clothing category at ELLE Graduates. Recognition is never the reason we do what we do, but being seen alongside brands and designers we genuinely admire felt reassuring. It was one of those quiet affirmations that makes you pause, reflect, and keep going.
Soon after, preparations began for the Kula Conclave, an initiative by 200 Million Artisans. This year, we collaborated with Khushiram Pndey, a fifth-generation Sanganer block-printing artisan and Devendra Dosaya, a sixth-generation Kaladera block-printing artisan for handblock fabrics to create the goodie bags for all attendees. The process felt celebratory!
Once again, we packed our bags and travelled to Jaipur, where we spent two days at the Kula Conclave- listening to some of the brightest minds in the industry speak about craft, technology, and everything in between. The conclave became a space for both learning and reunion. Friends and colleagues from across the country gathered, and seeing one another outside our usual work settings- sharing street food, going silver shopping, and catching up over long dinners- felt like a gentle reminder of the community that holds this work together. The conversations moved across craft, technology, philosophy, affect, practice, and purpose, and we returned with thoughts that we know will take time to fully settle.
At Kula we also filled a corner with our installation “Threads of Continuity”. The installation centres on the quiet rhythm of making. Translucent Chanderi tapestries, eco-printed with temple-flower pigments and detailed with fine Kantha stitches, were suspended as layered scrolls- forming soft, horizon-like landscapes shaped by the hand. Each piece carries the presence of the artisan: repetition, patience, and skill passed down over time. An accompanying audio layer- the rustle of fabric, the pull of thread, chatter at work- invites viewers to slow down and sit with the process.
As we move into December, we also carry some lovely news. Our pieces will be travelling back to Bombay, this time to The Chic Indian pop-up at The Quorum on the 13th of December. If you’re in the city, we would love for you to come, spend time with the textiles, and engage with our story. In a happy contrast to this one-day showing, our pop-up at Noun, Goa has been extended through the entire month of December- so if you find yourself there over the holidays, do visit, and please let us know if you do.
While in Delhi, we also spent time at Dastkar, where artisans from across the country gather to share their work, experiments, and evolving practices. It’s always grounding to see the work of weavers we collaborate with in new contexts, and equally exciting to encounter new ones. These exchanges remind us how alive and responsive craft continues to be.
Just before the month ended, an artwork for The Greenr, Baroda was completed in time for their opening. It feels like a small extension of us in the space- eco-printed Chanderi in motion, layered with ombré tones, carrying forward our ongoing conversations with colour, rhythm, and material.
In many ways, the past few months have been about movement and making, moving across cities and contexts, and returning, again and again, to the act of making. It feels important to name that rhythm before the year turns and something quieter begins.
As the year begins to slow and fold into itself, I’m holding space for rest, reflection, and the work that will shape what comes next.
Warmly
Drishti