The walk from Seema Mathias' home to her studio in Colaba takes exactly three minutes. During this, she pauses by the expansive almond tree, gathering crimson red fallen leaves, each the size of her palm. This is followed by the rustle of fallen mango and casuarina leaves hastily bunched into a bouquet. A visit to the local florist is the last customary pitstop on a typical workday, where she bags up all the withered and wilted flowers that would otherwise end up in a garbage dump. On more leisurely days, Seema keeps an eye out for sidewalk treasures-seed pods, henna leaves and indigenous weeds. Once back in her 860 sq ft studio, she lays these gifts from nature, like good ideas waiting to be unveiled, out on the table before her nine-member all-women team.
Mathias firmly believes that sustainability starts from a closer relationship with nature's rhythms. Observing leaves and flowerstheir shapes, colours and patterns. "The whole process is so calming. I love going to work. I don't even call it work!" she says right before showing us some of her recent experiments in dying kala cotton using pomegranate.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Candid With Kriti
After a decade of flirting with fame, the stars have aligned for Kriti Sanon. But under the gilded glory of this cosmic shower, she is clinging on to a "happy, restless" state of mind, finds Hasina Jeelani
GOLDENBOY
In an exclusive interview with ELLE, Footballer Lallianzuala Chhangte shares insights on being at the top of his game
His Reign
Shaeroy Chinoy meets Taha Shah Badussha-the breakout star of Netflix's recent release Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'
Portrait of a PUBLISHER ON FIRE
Founder of Seagull Books, Naveen Kishore, reflects on building a global audience and what keeps him in the game. Aindrisha Mitra listens in
LUXE OFF-ROADING INMOROCCO
Riaan Jacob George took the nifty Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 out for a rather long spin through the Atlas Mountains, and here's his verdict
TROPICAL LUXURY
Opulence meets tranquillity along the serene beachfront at Ronil Goa-AJdV by Hyatt Hotel, finds Vriddhi Mehra
DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE RETREAT: COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT ARAVALI RESORT
Nestled in the serene heart of the Aravali range in Haryana, the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort offers a perfect blend of nature and modern luxury.
THE VIETAGE BY ANANTARA
Connecting Nha Trang & Quy Nhon, the luxury train is a must-do addition to your Vietnam itinerary
TEA AMO
What happens when an Indian cocktail bar joins forces with a tea estate? Isha Mayer finds out on a spring tea trail to Darjeeling
ALPINE CHARM
Isha Mayer discovers ski adventures, fine dining & palace hotels on a winter escape to Courchevel