Nani Marquina unveils Rabari

A collection of rugs evoking the opulence of traditional Indian embroidery, created by Doshi Levien.

Nani Marquina has just launched its latest rug collections. Its stand-out line? The Rabari collection, created by London-based, Anglo-Indian design studio Doshi Levien.

Rabari comprises three rugs — in 100 per cent New Zealand wood — which are made in India using hand-knotted and hand-woven, flat-weave Soumak techniques. In addition to the beautiful texture created by the brilliant colour of the curls in the wool, the rugs stand out for their exceptional design — a canvas which the designers have adorned with a sophisticated combination of rhythmic patterns and unique, graphic yet sensual motifs.

‘At the very beginning of the project, we decided to create a series of rugs that evoke the sensual and shiny world of India’s tribal embroidery,’ say its designers, Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien. ‘We had in mind the intricately hand-crafted embroideries made by the women of the Rabari nomadic community from the Kutch region [in Western India]. These women would sit sewing together on rugs on the floor, surrounded by glistening mirrors, silk and cotton thread and metallic sequins. They often collaborated in groups, working on the same embroidered pieces, sometimes taking several days to complete these intricate designs. We wanted our collection for Nanimarquina to reference these unfinished embroideries, like studies of different techniques as they emerge over time. The rugs’ spontaneous compositions embody the serendipity and freedom to improvise inherent in each step of a hand-made piece — joyful, irreverent and unique.’

Once again, Nanimarquina has wowed us with its collections which immerse us in the worlds of tradition and nature — the latter epitomised by its Natural collection made of natural fibres, one of whose designs, the Earth rug, scooped a Wallpaper* 2014 Design Award in the ‘Best Rug’ category.