Neishaa Gharat designs a fashionable Knotty Ewe! A sheep sculpture that knots memories & stories of the fabled Jarrold department store that was founded in Suffolk 250 years ago. The Sheep Art Trail in Eye will support the Blossom Charity.

Spot the fashionable tiffany blue sheep on the art trail in the beautiful market town of Eye at Dream On Suffolk

This fashionably naughty sheep celebrates the lead up to 250 years of Jarrold in 2020. Jarrold was founded in Woodbridge, Suffolk in 1770. Today Jarrold is based in Norwich and is regarded as the region’s favourite independent department store and is one of the most renowned landmarks in Norfolk. This sculpture will inspire the people of Suffolk & Norfolk to share & knot their memories of Jarrold on to the sheep, through an interactive scarf styling & memory sharing workshop and through online engagement.

Collaborating with The Blossom Charity

We are excited to share an artful collaboration with the Blossom Charity in creating Knotty Ewe! Keeping with House of Gharats love of creating fashion and lifestyle designs for an artful life through beautiful stories. The premise of the creative inspiration is to knot treasured memories that span many generations linked with Jarrold. This sculpture will inspire the people of Suffolk, Norfolk and people from all over the world linked to the history of Jarrold through their own experiences or their families past and present to engage and add to the design through an interactive workshop at Jarrold and Dream On Suffolk and through online engagement.

The story began when Neishaa Gharat, Founder-Designer of House of Gharats and Bridget McIntyre, Founder of The Blossom Charity, met and shared the stage at the Global Thinkers Forum, Athena40 event in London. The event was hosted by the Evening Standard, on International Women’s Day 2019. Neishaa Gharat describes her first interaction with Bridget McIntyre as “inspiration at first sight”. The Blossom Charity is based in Suffolk and aims to inspire and increase confidence in women and young people in East Anglia through coaching, mentoring, makeovers and style consultancy.

Neishaa Gharat was invited to create 2 sheep sculptures, one of which she designed being inspired by the 250 year history and stories of Jarrold an independent family run department store. Neishaa’s wonderful team at House Of Gharats shared her enthusiasm and chipped in helping her bring her vision to life enjoying wonderful team spirit.  Curious about the second sheep? Explore Prosper Ewe! Wishing prosperity for Suffolk.

Under the wool

The Knotty ewe! design is focused on the premise of memory making. Neishaa Gharat wanted to design a sheep that collects and knots the memories of generations of families who have visited and worked at the fabled Jarrold department store founded in Woodbridge, Suffolk in 1770. This brings us to the name of the sheep sculpture, Knotty Ewe. ‘Knotty’ describes both the fun and the interactive aspect of the sheep sculpture, Neishaa Gharat seeks weird and wonderful stories that are linked with Jarrold over the last 250 years, for example, many people have special memories of Jarrold – from dropping pennies into the fountain that used to be in the third floor restaurant, to meeting celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Tanya Burr at a book signing.

These stories are shared through a workshop and online engagement. Each piece of story will be knotted to the sheep, hence the ‘Knotty Ewe’. Importantly, ‘Knotty’ is a signature pun that we use at House of Gharats, to describe our 50 knotty ways to tie a scarf. 

Stories are ingrained into the DNA of House of Gharats and our Founder-Designer, Neishaa Gharat. She has set herself on a mission to change the world one scarf at a time. Her hunger to hear rich and underrepresented stories and share them with the world, has set her on a journey to design her scarves as story-tellers that can be passed down through generations.

Neishaa believes memories are as important as our existence 

We at House of Gharats believe that reminiscing on memories is as effective in bringing you backwards in time as it brings you forward. When we spend time remembering our past experiences, observations, emotions, we then revoke our identity which ultimately shapes our future thoughts and actions. 

Put it this way, have you ever done a big cleaning around your house and then stumbled upon an old storage box and in the spirit of procrastination, you spend a few hours going through that box? I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this as it’s hard to resist glancing at memories through photographs, videos, letters and birthday cards. We believe reminiscing can be one of life’s true, unpredictable and thrilling delights. It can show you how far you have come in life and how much you have or haven’t changed. Therefore, to understand the future and present, you need to go back in time. 

History of Jarrold

It all began 250 years ago, in the year 1770, in Woolbridge, Suffolk, by John Jarrold. The company then moved to Norwich in 1823 under the leadership of John Jarrold II and has developed to be, probably, the largest and longest standing privately owned business in the city.

The involvement of the founding family continues with three members of the seventh generation of the Jarrold family working within the company. From its roots as a grocer and draper, for many years its core businesses were printing, retailing and publishing, with a growing interest in the development of its property assets from the 1990s onwards. Since 2005 the business has concentrated on its retail activities and the development of its property assets whilst growing its business services activities through its training and facilities management operations.

Since its creation, it has been beloved and has been an integral part of the community – sharing fond memories of Jarrold and looking after the wellbeing of the county through its support of charity work in the community.

Knotting stories 

“For us it’s not just the products that count, but the stories behind the brands, the stories of the people who create the products. It is also about offering you excellent customer service, which is why we have experts across all our departments who can help you find the items to fall in love with.”- Jarrold

In line with Jarrold’s view of the value of stories, we at House of Gharats equally value stories. In fact, rich and powerful stories play a vital part in all our design processes for our products & collaborations. Stories are an energy that flows through our brand, without it, we would not be the same. 

Jarrold Today, in their own words 

The Jarrold Group is a privately owned business based in the historic St James Mill near to the centre of Norwich. 

The main Jarrold store on London Street is regarded as the region’s favourite independent department store and is one of the most renowned landmarks in Norfolk. Jarrold also has several other stores around Norwich and Norfolk, and has been a part of Norfolk life for over 250 years.

For a unique shopping experience, we have carefully sourced and curated a selection of products that aim to offer you something different. From fashion and food, to books and beauty, our buyers handpick every product, often from local artisans and producers and brands that are exclusive to us, to give you a shopping experience with a difference.

For us it’s not just the products that count, but the stories behind the brands, the stories of the people who create the products. It is also about offering you excellent customer service, which is why we have experts across all our departments who can help you find the items to fall in love with.

It’s a recipe that we have used since we opened our doors in 1770 and as an independent family run department store we welcome you to shop, eat and relax with us as our friend, after all, at Jarrold the shopping experience is  Exclusive. Experienced. For Everybody.

Knotty Ewe, is knotting stories and memories

The Knotty Ewe was inspired by the 250-year history and stories of Jarrold, an independent family-run department store that was found in Woodbridge, Suffolk and is now based in Norwich, Norfolk. Knotty Ewe sculpture will inspire the people of Suffolk & Norfolk to share & knot their memories of the fabled Jarrold department stores on to the sheep, through an interactive scarf styling & memory sharing workshop and online engagement.

Neishaa’s wonderful team at House Of Gharats shared her enthusiasm and flocked to bring her vision to life whilst enjoying wonderful team spirit

The Eye Sheep Art Trail

Between 18th July and 6th September the market town of Eye is home to a flock of very unusual sheep! 24 beautifully painted sheep can be found at various locations around the town, just waiting to be admired for their colourful fleeces!  These sheep celebrate Eye’s historic connection with the wool trade and have been installed by The Blossom Charity, who are based in the town, share a bit of summertime fun with the local community and raise awareness of what they do. 

You can follow the sheep art trail, by picking up a map from a number of locations in the town (including Dream on, the Eye Library, Homestart, East of England and Central England Co ops) or by visiting the sheep trail website. Don’t forget to share your experience and photos of what you found on social media, using the hashtag #eyesheeparttrail 

The Charity Sheep Auction

On 12th September The Blossom Charity will host an auction of art, to sell each of the sheep from the art trail to raise money for the charity.

This event, kindly sponsored by Imaginative Traveller, is to be held at 7pm, at Kenton Hall in Suffolk. The auction promises to be a fun and interesting event, with a chance to meet some of the sponsors and artists at a drinks reception before the serious business of selling of the unique sheep art to the highest bidder! Anyone interested in acquiring a beautifully painted sheep as a piece of art for their business, their home or garden, or just as a talking point are very welcome to attend and sealed or telephone bids will be accepted. The sheep to be auctioned can be viewed at www.eyesheeparttrail.co.uk and this website includes details of how you can buy a ticket to attend the charity auction.

Key Dates 

18 th July – Trail launches: 7pm, Scout HQ, Wellington Road, Eye, IP23 7HF

18 th July to 6 th September – Trail held throughout Eye

12 th September – charity auction: 7pm Kenton Hall I

References:

http://www.jarrold.com/about-us/history-heritage.aspx

Spot the shimmering gold sheep of prosperity on the Sheep Art Trail, at the newly opened Eye Library in Suffolk

We are excited to share an artful collaboration with the Blossom Charity in creating Prosper Ewe! Keeping with House of Gharats love of creating fashion and lifestyle designs for an artful life. The premise of Neishaa’s creative inspiration for her sheep sculpture for the art trail is wishing prosperity for Suffolk. The story of this sheep sculpture interweaves the prosperity and vibrant culture of Suffolk, once brought by the wool trade to its present and future businesses.  This sculpture will inspire the people of Suffolk to engage and add to the design through an interactive workshop at the new Eye Library and through online engagement.

Sponsoring the collaboration – Pretam Gharat, Cosmetic and Implant Dentist

Dentistry is both an Art and Science. This collaboration is sponsored by Pretam Gharat @Harley Street, cosmetic and implant dentist based in London. His philosophy is to create a centre for excellence, where only the very highest standards in modern dentistry are provided to his patients. He strives to provide the most advanced treatments, delivering beautiful and natural smiles with a highly trained and caring team around him. 

Pretam Gharat aka @thestylishdentist revels in being the subject of many photographers during fashion weeks, attempting to capture his sartorial way of dressing.

Neishaa Gharat was inspired by the importance of placemaking; Linking it to prosperity of Suffolk and its people 

There are many ways to describe placemaking, the way we see it is a way to connect many different elements of a community. We believe that individual places are inherently connected to one another as well as people that are living, working, doing business, visiting and travelling locally.

The highlight of placemaking is understanding whether the public has an agency to instigate placemaking or take stewardship role in private spaces as they might in public spaces. 

One interesting view into placemaking is to gather a wide range of viewpoints from the public into placemaking, this helps to understand what is already great about a place, creates more interesting places, taps into funding and investment opportunities, empowers communities and fosters civic pride. 

Inspired by Suffolk 

This passage written by Visit Suffolk truly encapsulates our love and inspirations found in the landscapes of Suffolk

“In a county as old and varied as this, there are hundreds of Suffolk stories to be told. Come and discover the tales that can be found in iconic landscapes such as the fields and fens of West Suffolk, the long stretch of coastline in the east, the lush Waveney Valley on the northern border and beautiful Constable Country in the south. Read the stories that have risen up over Suffolk’s long history and the tales of some of the most famous people in history. And come right up to date with everything that is going on in the modern day.

Suffolk is the place where you can find a house in the clouds, the balancing barn, a giant scallop on a beach, and the stretch of turf where champions run. And don’t forget the Suffolk mysteries – unnerving tales of ghostly bells beneath the sea, devil dogs stalking the darkened countryside, unearthly craft in the sky and the many haunted houses in Suffolk where ghostly residents wander restlessly. What will you find when you discover Suffolk.”

Prosper Ewe! Interweaving the past, present and the future prosperity of Suffolk.

History of the wool trade 

Past 

• Dawn of Wool : Wool as a raw material is available since the domestication of sheep. 
• 12th Century : Wool was the most important asset in European trade – England major exporter of raw wool -peasants deal with travelling wool merchants.
• 1133: The Worshipful Company of Weavers is formed.
• 1133: Wool becomes the principal source of wealth in Medieval England – Anyone  who owned land would raise sheep – Landowners developed direct links with cloth manufacturers abroad.
• 1337 – 1453: Hundred Year War – King Henry III & King Edward I heavily taxed wool to pay for the wars – Flemish weavers fleeing the war and French rule to settle in Norfolk and Suffolk – Switch to raw wool exportation to weaved wool cloth
• 1450 – 1530: Weaved wool trade becomes stronger & richer – Lords, abbots & bishops start to count wealth in terms of sheep. In addition, Suffolk nobility used their influence to acquire freedom of tolls for local cloth merchants. This enabled cloth merchants to freely trade around the country and inevitably increased their wealth.
• Birth of the Wool Towns: construction of beautiful churches and houses to display wealth – Ipswich is the main port of trade to Antwerp and Genoa – Flemish and Italian merchants frequent English market.
• Birth of the Wool Towns: THE CHURCH OF ST PETER & ST PAUL · EYE It dates from the 15th century when East Anglia was at the height of its prosperity from the wool trade. It was built by wealthy merchants and landowners.
• Birth of the Wool Towns: IPSWICH: The main port of trade to Antwerp and Genoa, bringing prosperity across the waters.
• Birth of the Wool Towns: Nearly every house in the so-called ‘wool towns and villages’ were either trading or making wool cloth. As their wealth increased, so did the size of their houses. In fact, merchants built fine houses and grand guildhalls.
• Mid 16th C: King Henry VIII’s war on the continent debilitates trade.
• The 1570s – 1590s: Men are ordered by law to wear woollen caps to church every Sunday to support the wool industry
• 17th C: Only 20% of Suffolk’s population is employed in textiles compared to 90% at its peak.
• 18th C: Wool weaving starts to decline in favour of silk.
• 1785: Huguenot silk weaving comes to Sudbury from Spitalfields, in London – the English “silk road” between London and Suffolk is established. 
• First Industrial Revolution: The wool weaving industry is automated and moved up north – Final crash of the wool industry in Suffolk as they could not compete with mechanised loom factories. 
• Preserving towns and villages: One of the most remarkable legacies of the wool towns and villages is that it took centuries for these settlements to recover from the industry’s crash. Therefore, for years, residents could not afford to rebuild or modernise the buildings, thus preserving the towns in their medieval state. 
• Weaver, Dyer or Fuller: The wool trade has left a legacy after the industry crash in Suffolk. There are many local surnames linked with the industry, for example, Weaver, Dyer or Fuller, the chances are your ancestors were in the business. In addition, expressions like ‘on tenterhooks’ ‘pulling the wool over someone’s eyes’ or ‘dyed in the wool’ also originate from the wool trade.

Present 

• Suffolk stays strong in crop farming and animal production – The agricultural industry composes 2.8% of its GVA – Sugar beet and malt production are some of the most important
• Suffolk’s local strength for the Live Sciences rely on food and health research, plant science, microbiology, animal health, ornithology and pharmaceutical research
• Manufacture of food products is the largest sub-sector – 50% of the jobs concentrated in the production and processing of poultry meat – Beer manufacturing employs over 2000 people
• Suffolk’s construction sector is mainly related to buildings and infrastructure and specialised activities of the energy sector
• Suffolk and Norwich host almost 70% of the UK’s offshore wind capacity – The three main wind farms are Sheringham Shoal, Seroby Sands & Greater Gabbard
• The digital economy in Suffolk is focused on computer programming and consulting and telecommunications – Telecommunications is the second largest digital sub-sector, concentrated in Adastral Park where the main BT research facilities are based
• As of 2018, 5 Suffolk SMEs were listed in the top 100 firms with the fastest-growing international sales
• In Transport: the George Baker Group ranked 8th nationally with 172% growth over two years in its international growth to take it to £7m. 
• In Manufacturing: Rockford Electrical, ranked 9th
• In Digital: Online electronics retailer, The Pi Hut, ranked 21st with 108% growth and £4.3m worth of international sales. 
• In Manufacturing: Superyacht Tenders & Toys of Ipswich, 45th
• In Publishing: The printing services firm, Denny Bros, ranked 71st with 46% growth and £1.6m of international sales. 
• Suffolk Chamber of Commerce: Promoting and supporting Suffolk as a great place to do business within a regional, national and indeed an international context.
• Eat Suffolk Food & Drink Awards 2019 (see winners in Present & Future)
• Suffolk Distillery: Premium gin, lovingly handcrafted in Suffolk with a blend of exotic and locally sourced natural botanicals.
• Oscar-nominated film director Mike Leigh will be launching Film Feast Suffolk’s 2019 programme
• East Anglian Daily Times: British local newspaper for Suffolk and Essex, based in Ipswich. Published daily, from Monday to Saturday.
• Suffolk 2050: Suffolk 2050 plan to map the future of the county.

Future : Suffolk 2050

How Suffolk will progress as a county in the future? We learnt from the information from The State of Suffolk 2019 report which includes data from across the county, and it anticipates areas which are likely to be key concerns in the future. 

Rethink their infrastructure to ensure the long term viability of Suffolk. To solve some of these issues, Suffolk has said this “ we need bold and brave solutions to meet the huge challenges facing us as a county.”, “We need to solve the problems created by an ageing population; of rapidly increasing demand for SEND [special educational needs and disabilities] provision; we need to create high skills, high wage jobs fit for the future” and “In the first instance much more must be done to develop and support Suffolk’s wonderful assets like our famous food and drink produce, a world-leading energy sector and popular tourist destinations.”  The county aims to solve these issues by 2050.

Prosper Ewe! is housed in the brand new Eye Library.

Library manager Julie Shepherd said: “Everyone’s very excited about our new library including staff and our regular customers. Hopefully everyone will come along and take a look at the new library and what we have to offer, particularly anyone who may not have visited the library for a while, everyone is always welcome.”

Architectural designer Katherine Williams said: “The use of colour showcases a modern, vibrant facility to form a focal point for Eye, rejuvenating Cross Street by making use of a site occupied by an unattractive, dilapidated office building. The vaulted ceiling in the internal library area, creates a light and inviting space which offers itself to becoming flexible as a resource centre to the benefit of Eye and the wider community.”

Tony Brown, chair of Suffolk Libraries said: “It’s hugely positive to be able to open a new library. It’s been a great team effort to deliver a modern facility that will provide a better library environment and experience for everyone in the local community.”

The modern design of the new library, which was designed and overseen by Concertus Design & Property Consultants, offers a striking new addition to Cross Street.

The Eye Sheep Art Trail

Between 18th July and 6th September, the market town of Eye is home to a flock of very unusual sheep! Over 30 beautifully painted sheep can be found at various locations around the town, just waiting to be admired for their colourful fleeces! These sheep celebrate Eye’s historic connection with the wool trade and have been installed by The Blossom Charity, who is based in the town, share a bit of summertime fun with the local community and raise awareness of what they do. 

You can follow the sheep art trail, by picking up a map from a number of locations in the town (including Dream on, the Library, Homestart, East of England and Central England Co-ops) or by visiting the sheep trail website . Don’t forget to share your experience and photos of what you found on social media, using the hashtag #eyesheeparttrail 

The Charity Sheep Auction

On 12th September The Blossom Charity will host an auction to sell each of the sheep from the art trail to raise money for the charity.

This event, kindly sponsored by Imaginative Traveller, is to be held at 7 pm, at Kenton Hall in Suffolk. The auction promises to be a fun and interesting event, with a chance to meet some of the sponsors and artists at a drinks reception before the serious business of selling off the unique sheep art to the highest bidder! Anyone interested in acquiring a beautifully painted sheep as a piece of art for their business, their home or garden, or just as a talking point is very welcome to attend and sealed or telephone bids will be accepted. The sheep to be auctioned can be viewed here and this website includes details of how you can buy a ticket to attend the charity auction.

Key Dates 

18th July – Trail launches: 7 pm, Scout HQ, Wellington Road, Eye, IP23 7HF

18th July to 6th September – Trail held throughout Eye

12th September – Charity auction : 7 pm Kenton Hall IP14 6JU

References: 

https://www.eadt.co.uk/business/suffolk-smes-blaze-a-trail-in-sunday-times-lloyds-list-of-britain-s-top-exporters-1-5404874

https://www.visitsuffolk.com/blog/default.aspx?dms=121&cat=Experiences&fld=4379

Biswa Bangla and Balaposh

“Today, only one balaposh practitioner remains: Sekhawat Hussain Khan, the great-grandson of Atir Khan. Featured in Balaposh – A Fragrant Inheritance, a beautiful film installation and photo exhibition at designjunction, London Design Festival by designer Neishaa Gharat and acclaimed street photographer Vineett Vohra, Khan’s role is crucial to preserving the balaposh legacy and ensuring its future. By supporting this artisan, Biswa Bangla aims to revive balaposh, elevating it into international awareness and, thus, contextualising it within the realm of art history.”

Brief highlights about Balaposh

Balaposh or silk quilts are steeped in history and deft craftsmanship, with Balaposh of Murshidabad being one of West Bengal’s finest creations that has travelled near and far and has won appreciation for the sweet scented warmth – spread by a layer of attar-scented cotton wool between two layers of silk cloth, using no quilting stitches at all apart from the stitches on the edges.

It is said that a single sheet of Balaposh would cost thousands of rupees during the rule of the Mughals; if converted this would amount to millions of rupees in present times, thus proving the exquisite nature of these traditional works of art.

The mild scent of Balaposh – that wafts through the quilted layers and lures one in, is often its main attraction, and the government is taking active measures – such as training to the younger generation of weavers, to ensure that this art is kept alive.

History of Balaposh

Finery and complexity are always intertwined as they set the standards for a high life. Take the faintly fragrant Balaposh for example; whether these silk quilts got the word posh into it for the same reason is for the user to decide. Actually, it’s quite hard to differ after you have used one; you won’t have too many options.

A surprising thing about the balaposh is its usage as an elegant shawl. This proves furthermore the fine craftsmanship that originated and still exists in Bengal, Murshidabad district. A sweet-scented warmth its characteristic, the balaposh is a spread of layered, attar-scented cotton wool between two layers of silk stitched at the edges.

The Nawabs of Bengal are to be given credits for the advent of the Balaposh in the 18th century. Nawab Sujauddin’s sense of perfectionism (then ruler of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa) and his demand for an extravagant quilt is said to be what brought the balaposh into existence. He wanted something that’s soft as wool, warm as the lap and gentle like a flower” to wrap himself in. Needless saying, this tall order was way beyond the reach of the then craftsmen of the region, except for one Atir Khan who took a vow to create that exclusive piece. Following the King’s specifications, the balaposh was quilted to perfection. Thus it was born and in its initial years, they only served the Royals. Today as well, the art remains a well-hidden one – a closely guarded legacy carried forward by Sekhawat Hussain Khan, Atir Khan’s great-grandson, the only true karigar (craftsman) existing in this near-extinct trade. His production technique is vastly different from the commercialised variety. How the three layers (a thin sheet of attar-scented cotton snuggled between silk two blankets of silk) should be laid is still a mystery to the rest of the world but to one person.

What sets Balaposh apart ?

Quilts come and go, but the balaposh is forever! Born in adroit and artful hands, the unsurpassable aesthetics of these lightweight, hand-crafted, exquisite creations never cease to intrigue. It’s the quality that distinguishes the balaposh from other quilts and that’s more than the stitches along the edges. The real secret is how not to let the middle layer of cotton wool lump up into a ball; so when you are looking at one, remember that just ornamental borders and contrasting colours are not the only defining criteria. They are not least responsible for the characteristic softness and its sublime fragrance wafting through the layers; a true balaposh must seep its sense of posh-ness into the senses of the one who uses it. The art is, however, in a deplorable state as of now; close to dying and it’s the deliberate conservatism of the artisans to blame.

All these years, the art of making balaposh has been passed on as a family heirloom; the only way to save the art is passing it on to the future generations. It’s the only way to save the legacy from going extinct and the craft from fading into obscurity. That’s exactly what Biswa Bangla is up to; it has taken the initiative to train artisans on this art form, spearheading to protect the ancient techniques and production methodologies.

Read More About Biswa Bangla In London

A Film Installation and Photo exhibition was created in collaboration with designer Neishaa Gharat and photographer Vineet Vohra

for  Design Junction during the London Design Festival 2015. Click to watch video

View the photo exhibition here

“Today, only one balaposh practitioner remains: Sekhawat Hussain Khan, the great-grandson of Atir Khan. Featured in Balaposh – A Fragrant Inheritance, a beautiful film installation and photo exhibition at designjunction, London Design Festival 2015 by designer Neishaa Gharat and acclaimed street photographer Vineett Vohra, Khan’s role is crucial to preserving the balaposh legacy and ensuring its future. By supporting this artisan, Biswa Bangla aims to revive balaposh, elevating it into international awareness and, thus, contextualising it within the realm of art history.”

Brief highlights about Balaposh

Balaposh or silk quilts are steeped in history and deft craftsmanship, with Balaposh of Murshidabad being one of West Bengal’s finest creations that has travelled near and far and has won appreciation for the sweet scented warmth – spread by a layer of attar-scented cotton wool between two layers of silk cloth, using no quilting stitches at all apart from the stitches on the edges.

It is said that a single sheet of Balaposh would cost thousands of rupees during the rule of the Mughals; if converted this would amount to millions of rupees in present times, thus proving the exquisite nature of these traditional works of art.

The mild scent of Balaposh – that wafts through the quilted layers and lures one in, is often its main attraction, and the government is taking active measures – such as training to the younger generation of weavers, to ensure that this art is kept alive.

History of Balaposh

Finery and complexity are always intertwined as they set the standards for a high life. Take the faintly fragrant Balaposh for example; whether these silk quilts got the word posh into it for the same reason is for the user to decide. Actually, it’s quite hard to differ after you have used one; you won’t have too many options.

A surprising thing about the balaposh is its usage as an elegant shawl. This proves furthermore the fine craftsmanship that originated and still exists in Bengal, Murshidabad district. A sweet-scented warmth its characteristic, the balaposh is a spread of layered, attar-scented cotton wool between two layers of silk stitched at the edges.

The Nawabs of Bengal are to be given credits for the advent of the Balaposh in the 18th century. Nawab Sujauddin’s sense of perfectionism (then ruler of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa) and his demand for an extravagant quilt is said to be what brought the balaposh into existence. He wanted something that’s soft as wool, warm as the lap and gentle like a flower” to wrap himself in. Needless saying, this tall order was way beyond the reach of the then craftsmen of the region, except for one Atir Khan who took a vow to create that exclusive piece. Following the King’s specifications, the balaposh was quilted to perfection. Thus it was born and in its initial years, they only served the Royals. Today as well, the art remains a well-hidden one – a closely guarded legacy carried forward by Sekhawat Hussain Khan, Atir Khan’s great-grandson, the only true karigar (craftsman) existing in this near-extinct trade. His production technique is vastly different from the commercialised variety. How the three layers (a thin sheet of attar-scented cotton snuggled between silk two blankets of silk) should be laid is still a mystery to the rest of the world but to one person.

What sets Balaposh apart ?

Quilts come and go, but the balaposh is forever! Born in adroit and artful hands, the unsurpassable aesthetics of these lightweight, hand-crafted, exquisite creations never cease to intrigue. It’s the quality that distinguishes the balaposh from other quilts and that’s more than the stitches along the edges. The real secret is how not to let the middle layer of cotton wool lump up into a ball; so when you are looking at one, remember that just ornamental borders and contrasting colours are not the only defining criteria. They are not least responsible for the characteristic softness and its sublime fragrance wafting through the layers; a true balaposh must seep its sense of posh-ness into the senses of the one who uses it. The art is, however, in a deplorable state as of now; close to dying and it’s the deliberate conservatism of the artisans to blame.

All these years, the art of making balaposh has been passed on as a family heirloom; the only way to save the art is passing it on to the future generations. It’s the only way to save the legacy from going extinct and the craft from fading into obscurity. That’s exactly what Biswa Bangla is up to; it has taken the initiative to train artisans on this art form, spearheading to protect the ancient techniques and production methodologies.

Though rooted in the heritage and craft culture of India, the House of Gharats is undoubtedly a London label.

The design house has found a home-away-from home in London’s Taj Khazana, a boutique in the Taj 51 hotel. With such close ties to the space – as well as a shared interest in Indian heritage and British elegance – it is no surprise that the staff of Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences are dressed in bespoke House of Gharats designs!

Aware of the importance of a well-tailored, made-to-fit ensemble, House of Gharats designed bespoke uniforms for the front-of-office team: the key features being a blue houndstooth woven pattern used for the men’s waistcoats, and bespoke Italian-made, peacock-inspired print silk scarves and fine houndstooth detailing for the women.

Luxurious in design and featuring a classic British pattern, the uniforms successfully combine classic House of Gharats creativity with traditional Taj elegance – resulting in an undeniably perfect fit.

By: Kelly Richman-Abdou

Taj Khazana, the fashion and lifestyle boutique within the St James Court Hotel, is a home to the House of Gharats collection. The London boutique struck the right chords with the London-based designer Neishaa Gharat who brings together British – Indian cross influences in her designs.

Taj Khazana celebrates and supports the creative talent of Indian artisans. By showcasing unique artifacts, collectibles, garments and accessories from India’s traditional master craftsmen and latest designers, Taj Khazana unleashes the vivacity and vibrancy of South Asia. Focusing on the resurgence of traditional artisans’ creations, the collection revives various art forms including textiles or items created from paper, metal, wood or iron. To date, Taj Khazana has helped a large number of craftsmen throughout India including the hand-loom weavers in Varanasi.

The House of Gharats collection at Taj Khazana in London creates a bridge between art, textile crafts and fashion. Textiles are the bedrock of fashion and that’s where their fashion story begins. House of Gharats is passionate about sourcing the most beautiful hand printed & woven Indian textiles, and supporting age old textile arts & crafts. Its aim is to give the aesthete an opportunity to understand the depth of Indian arts and textile crafts while creating product that is wearable.

Taj Khazana

St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London, 54 Buckingham Gate,
London SW1E 6AF, +44 20 7834 6655

Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 8pm
Saturday: 9am – 5:30pm
Sunday: Closed

Check out SHE Canada‘s ‘Behind The Seams’ interview with Neishaa Gharat at Taj Khazana

To celebrate over thirty years of operation in the United Kingdom, the Confederation of Indian Industries created ‘India and the UK – Enduring Ties,’ a film showcasing and facilitating a dialogue on lasting partnerships between the two regions.

The unique presentation features commentary from myriad British and Indian governmental figures and businesspeople, including Neishaa Gharat, who touches on the artistic link and creative connection between the United Kingdom and India:

London is a great design city.  It has some of the best design talent in the world. And it has a great corridor that connects us to India which helps us really to inspire and work with India.” – Neishaa Gharat

Transcending economics and speaking to culture, social relationships, and growth, the Confederation of Indian Industries’ film presents the partnership’s many benefits through an accessible platform and creative lens.

By: Kelly Richman-Abdou