Niki Mahajan,
a designer with panache has devoted the last 15 years in promoting the
talent reserves of the Indian subcontinent working with the immensely
talented artisans from Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam and other remote
corners. The endeavour is to retain an umbilical connection with the huge
talent resource of the country's mysterious interiors. Working with tribals,
Niki has created a fabric called "Reeds" which is made by splitting
grass and treating it with natural elements. A recipient of the Yuv Ratan
award for excellence in promoting the production of unique fabrics by
the Ministry of Textiles, she has had the opportunity to learn about the
crafts at the grass root level. Currently she retails from Bangalore,
Madras, Cochin at Ffolio, Oorja at Hyderabad, Kali at Kolkata, Casa at
Pune, L'affaire, Heritage and her own studio at Vasant Vihar, Priya Cinema
Complex, New Delhi and the Designer Studio, Mumbai. She specialises in
trousseau, occasion wear and Prêt lines, with an emphasis on clean-cut
silhouettes and intricate hand work. Her pret line-"maska" combines
innovative surface treatments with surprising color ways making it an
unusual product.