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For some frothy soda pop
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Designer Sai Sangeet turns kitsch into a fine art form peppering a range of hand-made cushions, blankets, table cloths, blinds, curtains, handbags and coasters with pop culture
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Photo: Murali Kumar K.
BOOTYLICIOUS Whether it’s a bag with Marilyn Monroe on it or a curtain with your favourite star, Sangeet has lots to offer
Sai Sangeet Paliwal is a designer who is also trained in graphics art. Barely out of her graduation, this designer is clear about her future plans. She calls herself a furnishing designer. The reason she chose soft furnishings is because “there
are plenty of designers when it comes to clothes. But for furnishings, customers have to shop and pick up from whatever is available. My aim is to create something that matches up with what’s there in their mind.”
Sangeet has always been fascinated with designs. It all started when she was a child and watched her mother stitch clothes for her. “Just her adding a frill here or a lace there made so much of a difference to the whole look of the fabric,” explains Sangeet, who has started her own company called Soda.
“I started off on my own for I was sure that I did not want to get into the corporate world.” Walk into her design studio and you will find the cosy place brimming with cushions, blankets, table cloths, blinds, curtains handbags and coasters — all hand made — in vibrant colours.
“I call it fashion furnishings for I am more into furnishing the house in style,” adds the young designer. Sangeet right now offers five collections — Soda Pop (young and energetic peppy range), Soda Incarnate (regal and royal with a touch of heritage), Soda Bar (for a lounge look), Soda…licious (kitchen accessories) and Bollywood Masala (retro and funky designs inspired by Bollywood).
Besides all her training she is an avid viewer of “Travel and Living” series and has also travelled a lot. “During my travels, I soak in all the varied cultures, styles, colours and the weaves of the places. You see, ours is a generation that draws its inspirations from the old, and blends it with the contemporary. That’s what I try doing with my designs,” she says.
Sangeet is also open to working on smaller budgets “as low as Rs. 4,000…you know, creating something in a limited budget is so much more challenging. Sometimes I use all the leftover fabric but the talent lies in not making it look like made from leftovers, but something stylish and appealing.”
She likes to term Soda a design cellar because with the soft furnishings you can also pick up some matching black and white photographs by her sister Sai Darshan. Sangeet does not compel the customer to buy stuff in sets. “A customer is free to just pick up one piece or mix ’n’ match. It’s their need, not my ideas imposed on them,” explains Sangeet.
Sangeet also uses her graphic studies in her Bollywood collection, where you will find Madhubala or Marilyn Monroe on a bag or a cushion. “Say someone wants a personal space and is crazy about Bollywood then I can create something for them with pictures of their favourite stars on the designs of the soft furnishings so that they feel cheerful when they get to that space,” she explains.
“For me it’s important to understand the customer, meet with them and understand their likes and dislikes. Personally I love playing with vibrant colours, but if someone wants something in sober shades, then I should be game enough to do it for them, for that’s where my creativity comes out.”
Sangeet does not believing in repeating designs. “When a customer pays for something in designer wear, it means he is also paying for an exclusive piece. So even if someone asks me to replicate a design, I will not do it. People are so evolved today. They are conscious of their homes and its look. With the kind of lifestyle they lead, they are willing to spend money for a look they have in mind,” observes Sangeet, who then recommends dry cleaning for her products so that they last longer.
Soda is open from 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. and by appointment only. Sangeet can be contacted on 98865-57852 or email her on saisangeet@hotmail.com.
SHILPA SEBASTIAN R.
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