HOBBY STORE HAULS to Hermis Bags

Meet Kanika Ranka Adani, the founder of The Studio Project, a Fine Arts graduate from The Art Institute of Chicago, who discovered her love for art in the delightful mess of her childhood. Now, she is on a colourful quest to redefine the realm of wearable art.

- Sonakshi Kurbah

When asked about her childhood, the Mumbai-based artist remembers a time when art and crafts were her world. It was this formative period that cemented her lifelong passion for creation. “From a young age, I was eager to get my hands dirty and engage in creative projects”, she shares. Kanika had a dedicated space in the kitchen where she could fully embrace her creativity without the fear of making a mess. Whether it was working with papier-mâché, sculpting with clay, or combining glue and string to create installations, she approached every project with the same infectious enthusiasm.

The Birth of The Studio Project

Kanika's childhood experiences laid a strong foundation for her artistic pursuits. Her journey is a testament to the power of encouragement and the importance of a nurturing environment in discovering one’s true passion. Her family recognised the joy she experienced and decided to have her enrolled in art classes and summer camps. One vivid memory that stands out to her is the opening of the first hobby store in Malad, Mumbai. “It was a Sunday outing where my parents, brother, and I explored the store together, picking up supplies that helped me further develop my creativity,” she reminisces fondly.

Her journey took an interesting turn when The Studio Project began to take shape. After college, Kanika dabbled in graphic design and even rolled up her sleeves to help her father in the textile business. Spoiler alert: neither of those, as Marie Kondo would say, "sparked joy”. Then, for a friend’s birthday, she painted a pair of shoes and casually posted them on social media, not giving it much thought. Little did she know, those shoes turned into a sensation, and just like that, a business was born.

The Creative Process