Fashion designer Nimish Shah’s brand of easy-to-maintain clothes has been a runaway hit. While most other designers sketch looks that are red carpet-ready, Shah is proud of the fact that his clothes are sustainable and eco-friendly.
Shah’s love for the organic has now translated into a collection of candles. The new ‘Shift Home’ collection comprises hand-poured soy wax candles with a complex fragrance that would engage a certain winter memory. Not too sharp, the candles have an overall musky note.
The candles come with a base note of grapefruit and pineapple, a mid note of vanilla and a top note of sandalwood, patchouli, and musk.
“I was inspired by the Kharif crop (winter crop) for this collection. Unlike in western countries, our produce is still very seasonal. The Kharif crop evokes nostalgia—a nip in the air, the lingering smell of wood fire and the smell of seasonal flowers that is calming. I wanted these candles to evoke an in-doorsy feeling,” says the designer.
The packaging deserves mention for providing a complete sensorial experience. Adapted from Indian accounting ledgers, which Nimish Shah has “always been fascinated by”, the packaging has been crafted using greige fabric and hand-stitched by artisans who earn a livelihood creating accounting ledgers.
Shah recalls a vivid memory of visiting his grandfather’s home office, spotting a wall stacked with dusty ledgers. “The distinctive smell of an old office with an imposing fragrance has a calming effect,” reminisces the sustainable fashion designer.
Does he have plans of expanding his Home range to include hand soaps and diffusers? “We are hoping to launch a second candle collection, called ‘Rabi’— a summer crop—next season. We are focusing our attention on candles for now,” says Nimish Shah.
The collection is available in Le Mill and Clove in Mumbai, and Nappa Dori in New Delhi. The candle range will soon make its way to Goa, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
[“Source-architecturaldigest”]
