INDIA

The idea behind my online-shop and label http://www.silviagattin.com arised in Pushkar, Rajasthan, during my very first trip to India with my beloved friend Verena (check out her colorful Mochila and foulard bags onhttp://www.uniqueallure.com). This was nearly four years ago just after I quit my sustained job at a human resources company in Zurich where a 60 hrs week was routine and I felt nothing but a robot chasing after KPIs and money for my managers. Back then India showed me its breathtaking colors and fabrics and I simply fell in love and revived my passion for fashion and design and handicraft. Since then this in every sense intoxicating country does not stop to inspire, impress, shape and affect me and blazes in my memory long after I have left its shores.

Such happened again a couple of weeks ago. I was originally planning to visit the north of the country last summer but due to heavy rain and floods I decided that the Himalaya has to wait for me. Instead I spent my time in Mumbai (one giant chaos and traffic metropolis), Goa (oh, I love you,  you spectacular beaches and spiritual energy waves) and Gujarat (my new eldorado for textiles; traditional artisans in tribal villages weave, embroider, dye and print some of the country’s finest fabrics). Read here the stories behind the “India’s treasures” – collections, which will be available online, soon.

India loves to surprise and toss up the unexpected. This can be challenging as poverty is confronting you all the time and Indian bureaucracy can be exasperating and the simplest tasks can turn into one giant epic. “Go with the flow” is what you literally learn to live and then the country can inspire, frustrate, thrill and confound you all at once. Love it or loathe it – to embrace India’s unpredictability is to embrace its soul.

Bamboozling. There is simply no other word that convincingly captures the enigma that is India. With its in-your-face diversity – from snow-dusted mountains to sun-washed beaches, tranquil temples to feisty festivals, latern-lit villages to software- supremo cities – it’s hardly surprising that this country has been dubbed the world’s most multidimensional. Love it or loathe it – and most visitors see-saw between the two – India promises to jostle your entire being, and no matter where you go or what you do, it’s a place you will never forget.

I have to admit – I copied these words from my traveller bible Lonely Planet as I could not find a better introduction. My 3rd time in India was again a haunting experience and sensational inspiration for the new MANISHA RELOADED collection (that will be online soon). The trip was filled with traditional Indian impressions as it started with the visit to a poor family in Delhi, that I support (with the help of friends) with children clothes, games and school supplies and moreover the insane, intense and amazing Holi Festival in Pushkar, Rajasthan, opening the spring season with people throwing coloured powder and water at each other. Two weeks later my travel itinerary forced me back to Delhi to catch my flight back home but before boarding I had the great honour to watch the semi-final cricket world cup match between India and Pakistan, which was also a high security politician and thus historic event. Cricket in India is as holy as Vishnu, Brahma and Ganesha together and such a game stops the entire country from functioning normally. Indeed memorable and from the bottom of my heart congratulation to India also winning the final against Sri Lanka!!!

So… Filled with numerous impressions (I could write several pages about) I thought this time to let my photos tell you the story. Dive into the colourful enigma that is called India and enjoy: