Designs on the world

“I worked on two pieces for a year-and-a-half in order to enter them in this show,” says Vasa. For Kumar,who graduated in accessory design from Delhi’s National Institute of Fashion Technology,it was a last-minute entry that clinched the deal. “I had visited their website as I wished to attend the event. By the time I decided to participate,I had just missed the deadline for entries (August 31 last year). Luckily,they gave me a few days’ extension and I managed to apply,” he says.

Not surprisingly,both Vasa and Kumar made the cut due to the high functionality and innovative design of their offerings. Vasa’s enclosure,for one,can be a space divider,a dining buffet,a cabinet or a reception desk. It has been made using laser cut metal,slumped glass,wood and a ceramic sculpture (it takes a cue from the parrot cages that kings in ancient times would look upon as status symbols).

Her second piece,“Mandala”,is a lighting installation that can be placed in a design park,a garden or an outdoor viewing space. The upper rim has lenses fixed at regular intervals which converge the external light to a focal point in the centre of the ceiling. “This way,when a user stands inside the enclosure,the converged light creates a halo all around. Moreover,when you look at the ceiling,you’ll see a converged image of the outer skyline. The idea finds its roots in the Buddhist symbol of ‘Mandala’ that urges one to rid oneself of outer obsessions in order to seek inner enlightenment,” explains Vasa,who has a post-graduation degree in interior design from Bournemouth University,UK,and has specialised in lighting design at New York School of Interior Design,USA.

Kumar’s stall will have a lounge sofa,a study table and a dressing mirror that can be mounted on a wall. The lounge sofa,titled “Hive-Jacked”,takes its inspiration from a beehive,while his study table has a strong India connect. Made with wood,glass,leather and steel,the table has several compartments that have been done up in bright colours. “The compartments add to its versatility — just the way a paanipuriwala would have separate sections for different ingredients in his cart. The bright look celebrates our love for colours,” he says.

Kumar is looking to team up with a European manufacturer who would execute his designs and help him reach out to a wider base. “I have Indian design sensibilities but I do believe in European sophistication and their quality finish,” he says.