Lost and Found

Five years ago my idea of fabric was no more than cotton.  Though my strong, perhaps inborn penchant for designs and patterns always charmed me to fabric appreciation, I was never aware of its diversity. It could be that my regard for them was more visual than tactile - literally superficial. As I now learn more about thread count, sources and types, uses, and production methods my understanding is nurtured even more to according respect and high regard to the artisans behind those well-crafted, beautifully designed textiles. Here is one that I would love to see someday.  

New York based design house, Lost City - home of the most beautiful hand-embroidered fabrics in the world, specializes in hand embroidered fabrics using an embroidery technique from the 17th century Mughal Empire. Founded by designer, Afshan Durrani,  who took her fabrics from the harsh conditions of India to New York now employs almost over 120 skilled artisans and master dyers carrying out exemplary craftsmanship.  Read on..

"Lost City is driven by the desire to create the most beautiful hand embroidered fabrics in the world by employing artisans who would otherwise lose their livelihood. We believe that the extinction of rare skills possessed by families that still earn living with needle and thread would deprive the world of a highly evolved art form that has existed over five hundred years.  It's no secret that technological progress often has a human cost. Modernization has pulverized many genteel traditions and sometimes entire civilizations have been sacrificed in the name of advancement. cities once rich in art and culture have vanished. We are not reformists, but we are passionately devoted to preserving some of the craftsmanship that enhances our lives and saving a bit of the magic that illuminate our cities.

The most sophisticated and informed clients in the west have found fabrics created by our artisans to be "breathtaking" , "spectacular" , and "shockingly beautiful". We are gratified in being able to make this connection between two very disparate worlds. Our mission is to make hand embroidery a flourishing art again." 

(I think the pictures don't do justice to their work - gotta head to NY! )