Dezeen Magazine

Doshi Levien's rugs for Nanimarquina capture the "joy and celebration of the Rabari"

In this movie directed by Maite Felices, Nipa Doshi of London studio Doshi Levien talks about their intricately embroidered rugs handmade in India for Spanish brand Nanimarquina.

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

The three carpets in Doshi Levien's Rabari collection are based on traditional rugs made by tribes in India's Gujarat region.

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

"When we started the collection I really wanted it to have the joy and celebration of the Rabari's, they are the nomadic tribes in Gujurat," says Doshi of Doshi Levien in the movie by Felices. "They work a lot with mirrors, with threads. They sit together in the afternoon and make big embroideries."

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

Each design is embroidered with colourful graphic patterns that sit within grids. Doshi says that the use and distribution of colours and metallics is similar to a garment she used to wear.

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

"I remember a dress I had made which was very bright pink silk and only the sleeves had mirrors on it, in different colours," she reminisces. "I remember that I didn't want the mirrors to be everywhere."

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

The movie shows clips of the manufacturing process in India, including threads being churned in coloured dyes and steamed over bamboo poles.

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

Threads are then matched to the colours on paper patterns, which are later used as templates for the stitching.

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

The carpets are hand-knotted and hand-woven using traditional Sumak techniques, which produce a finely woven, durable material.

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

Doshi also shows her initial sketches and colour collages for the patterns on the rugs in the film.

Doshi Levien Rabari rugs

Nanimarquina launched the rugs at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan last month.