Home Furnishings - Shades of India

Shades of India is the story of a 14-year collaboration between contemporary designers and traditional artisans exploring colour, texture and contrast. As one of India's leading creators of Home Fashion, it has developed a distinctive international style which celebrates both India's heritage and its growing influence worldwide on designand trends in fashion. Drawing on traditional skills and fabrics, on techniques andtextures from Japan and South East Asia, its collection is an eclectic fusion - a wedding of cultures that reflects both diversity and globalization. .

Led by Mandeep Nagi, an Indian textile designer, and David Housego a former UK journalist settled in India, Shades of India has launched into new markets and new products with a collection that spans the bedroom, the living room, table linen, leisure clothes and accessories. Mandeep Nagi says: " Shades of India's designs are a fusion of styles and tradition that reflect the two cultures. We draw on both the heritage and craft skills of India and on contemporary fashion in the west."

Shades of India sells to major department stores in the world's capitals including Selfridges, Heals, and Harrods in London, ABC and Barneys in New York, and Le Bon Marche in Paris. Made in India by hand using fine silks, cottons and fabrics woven with metallic yarn; layered, textured and embroidered by skilled crafts men and women; Shades of India's products aredistinquished by their quality, attention to detail and finishing. Many are in themselves small works of art Shades of India has over the last year twice been invited to make presentations at World Bank conferences on the village centres run by women that it has developed in Haryana.

In an expanding programme, it currently provides employment for 200 women in these centres.

Shades of India has its headquarters in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi. It is recommended as compliant by leading buying houses in Delhi and is regularly audited by them. It is thus committed to implementing and maintaining accepted international social and business practices.