Block By Block

Keen on creating ‘global clothing with an Indian connect’, Ishanee Mukherjee and Anirudh Chawla teamed up three years ago to launch Poochki Designs

- Ishanee Mukherjee & Anirudh Chawla

Ishanee, why were you inclined to create your own textiles?

IM: I have had a keen interest in design since an early age. After studying Textile Design, it was an obvious choice to create my own textiles. I have always enjoyed prints on textile.

Anirudh, why did a hotelier by profession decide to pursue art?

AC: I pursued Tourism Studies at the graduate level and went on to do post graduation in International Hospitality. However, as a hotelier I always enjoyed art and craft – in fact I am passionate about Indian art and crafts. I am interested in textile crafts and enjoy drawing, especially animals, and decided to combine the two!

How did Poochki come about?

We both studied at the same school and have seen each other grow up as our parents have been good friends. Sharing a lot in common along with a deep rooted love for art, we were always enamored by the idea of a craft/ design based business. We thought that with Ishanee's textile know-how and Anirudh's management skills we could perhaps start a business venture. Poochki is the result of the realization that the consumer is slowly shifting from wearing labor intensive arts to more commercial options. With the motive of adding a new flavor to the art of hand-block printing and the desire to present Indian craft in a contemporary manner, we started developing sets of prints and this urged us to pursue our passion. Poochki, an au courant apparel label, was officially established in New Delhi in 2015.

What’s the story behind the name?