Modern Heirlooms from Napeansea

Almost exactly one year ago I told you about a new store I had discovered called Napeansea, a mother daughter venture selling clothes and homewares designed to evoke the area near Malabar Bay in South Bombay where the family is from. Their first collection was designed to evoke balmy nights and palm trees whispering their secrets through the cool evening breeze onto the open verandahs….

I’m thrilled to write about them again – aptly a few days after Mother’s Day – to tell you about their second collection, this time based around the colonial homes of their mothers and grandmothers and layered with memories of the lives they have passed through.

The new collection includes soft quilts, or Razais, designed to keep out the Indian winter and raw silk Mogra cushions that are beautifully embroidered in shades of brass and bronze. These, says Rohini Wahi, co-founder along with her mother Reena, remind them of the drawing rooms of their elegant aunts along with gorgeous bed jackets – and no I’ve never worn one either, but I love the idea – that take them back to the colonial charm of their grandmothers’ households.

“Each product is made from two beautifully crafted fabrics or techniques in each piece,” says Rohini. “There is hand embroidery on silk and linen while waffle fabric is overlayed with block printing to bring newness to an age old craft.

“The floor cushions are woven Ikat with an handtied Shibori pattern.”

I hope you like the collection, there are some fabulous scarves too although obviously we don’t talk about those on here! This is a table runner but I reckon you could happily swathe your neck in it as there’s still a distinct chill in the air.