Culture curator

The design store Lakshmi is a window to the world of textiles, craft and the art of the handmade. AKANKSHA KAMATH talks to the Australian designer and curator behind the eponymous boutique.

Saaki, meaning the one’ in Sanskrit, began as a tiny pop-up store in Australia four years ago. Lakshmi Pillai, the Indian-origin owner of the store nestled on Queen Street in Sydney, and who has since changed the name of the store to Lakshmi, dreamed of bringing her experience growing up around handloom textiles to the shop around the corner. Having lived in Africa and India, craft was something I grew up with,” explains the creator of light-as-air craft-focused collections and curator of Indian design for the Australian and global woman. To me, fashion felt speedy and I wanted to showcase a few favourite collections that are special and can stay in your wardrobe forever,” she continues. Pieces that can be shared in the family and cherished. Inspiring and introducing Indian textiles is a privilege.”