Handmade in Isa, India

Dhruti emailed me two weeks ago, asking for my recommendations on places to visit in Singapore, because she's coming here next month. As always, I recommended her to check out ms. spinach's blog. She has a great City Shopping Guide with a list of Singapore's must-visit shops. Plus, I told her my personal favorites places, too. :) After few emails, she told me about her work, and I was awed by her beautiful creations.


Dhruti is the owner cum designer of Handmade in Isa. And yes, this is the same Dhruti, who's just recently won decor8's Fabulous Stationery contest! *congrats, Dhruti!* :)


Handmade in Isa offers a wide variety of handmade products, from cushions, to bedspreads, to pottery, to stoles, and more. I can easily picture these items at iwannagohome!, Singapore's newly opened home store. Wouldn't you agree? ;-)

Thanks, Dhruti!

DEEPAVALI, the Festival of Lights

To those who celebrate it, HAPPY DEEPAVALI! Have a prosperous new year!

This image of Singapore's Little India was taken from here.

Manish Arora

Well, I'm not a fashionista myself, but with rich and vibrant colors and textures like Manish Arora's collections, I'd make a room for these gorgeous. If I could ever afford it, that is! ;-)

I first saw him on the Elle Decoration UK March 2006 edition. Then I saw him again in local newspaper last week, The Straits Times, April 14, 2006 for his coverage at India Fashion Festival, which has just ended recently. He has way too many amazing pieces that I have to talk about. :)

Manish Arora is India's most sought-after fashion designer. The 33-year-old designer graduated from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi in 1994, and established his label "Manish Arora" in 1997, and "Fish Fry" in 2001. His collections are available at selected retailers worldwide from India to U.A.E., France, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Turkey, Russia, U.S.A, and more. He has been known to dress the riches and famous stars. With the fine detailings, gorgeous patterns, and rich colors like these, you'd understand why. :) Check out his collections at London Fashion Week 2006, here. They are marvelous!

Credits: The top picture was taken from The Straits Times, April 14, 2006. The bottom picture was taken by Clara Molden/The Times, UK.

Ketna Patel

Some of you might have seen Ketna Patel's Asia Pop on selected local magazines before, but hey, why not tell the world that we have a real talent here in Singapore. ;-)

Ketna Patel is an African-born Indian artist, who was raised in Kenya, educated in London where she obtained degrees in Architecture and Interior Design. She moved to Singapore 11 years ago after being invited to work with the architectural design team of the Esplanade Art Centre project. Today, Ketna is focused on developing Asian art that reflects the diversity and richness of contemporary Asia. Her Asia Pop artworks are actually the large derivatives of collages that have been screened onto canvas and then hand-coated in resin. Her other works include woodcuts, photo collages, paper collages, paintings, and commissioned artworks.

You can obviously see the diversity and richness of her art. That's what I love the most about her. I hope you all enjoy her works as much as I do. :)

ALPANA BAWA

Alpana Bawa is an Indian designer based in New York. Her work is very much Indian inspired, using bright colors and embroidery. And they are just brilliantly gorgeous! You can see her past and current collections at alpana's site. To grab her gorgeous items, visit her store locations details here. Weird enough though, it doesn't seem that she has a store in India.