India

India is an important resource for handcrafted home decor items and giftware. Through the efforts of the government-supported Natl. Centre for Design and Product Development and the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), small scale and cottage craft industries bring a wide variety of Indian handicrafts to the world market. And with “handcrafted” one of the watchwords for 2008, India is looking to capitalize by investing aggressively in its craft sectors.

In 2006–2007, India exported $3.8 billion in handcrafted goods, up from just over $2 billion in 2002–2003. While this growth is significant, the EPCH recognizes that these numbers are still small compared to demand in the world marketplace, and miniscule compared to what India's 6 million-plus skilled artisans have to offer. The EPCH notes, “In the changing world scenario, [exported] craft products form a part of the lifestyle product in international markets. In view of this, it is high time to [address such matters as] changing designs, patterns and product development, [make] requisite changes in production facilities, [update] production techniques, [and obtain] related expertise to achieve a leadership position.”

To that end, these agencies have sought the services of qualified designers, such as P.J. Arandor, to help develop trend-forward collections with the artisan touch. At the recent Indian Gifts & Handicrafts Fair, Arandor presented his color and design directions for 2008–2009:

• Color and Pattern. There will be a bright explosion of colors from shocking orange to intense purple. Kelly green emerges stronger, while subtle hues of skin tones and grays add balance. Watch for metallics, mirrored finishes and anything that shines. New, bold patterns are borrowed from the past — '50s/'60s motel wallpaper and simplified arabesques in binary colors — but abstracted. Modern prints emerge from nature silhouettes, funky alphabets and classical scrolls.
• Materials and Texture. A yin and yang mixture of contrasting fabrics and textures is key: suede with patent leather, corduroy with satin. Volume from ruffles, pleating and shirring influence home textiles and fashion accessories; faceting and cutouts against polished surfaces show up in decorative accessories.
• Green Fashion. Anything “re-fused” (i.e. thrown away) is in fashion — big time — and transformed into new objects: furniture made from rugs, and bags from old tarps.
• Hi-Luxe Naturals. Natural materials such as bamboo, cane and wood will be the shining glory of contemporary decor objects. Low grade materials, such as sand, reeds and twigs, will create high style, high profile pieces. n