In January 2025, the MOR team set out on an inspiring adventure through India to deepen our understanding of traditional craftsmanship and uncover new possibilities for our fish-skin accessories. Over 7 days, we immersed ourselves in vibrant markets, and witnessed centuries-old techniques that sparked fresh ideas for texture, color, and form.
Highlights:
• Delhi: Exploring Chandni Chowk’s bustling bazaars, sourcing natural dyes, and visiting a workshop where fish-skin scraps are upcycled into intricate inlaid tiles.
• Jaipur: Discovering the art of block printing and gemstone inlay, and touring small family studios that lent insight into precision carving and vivid color palettes.
• Agra: Immersing in Mughal design at Taj Mahal’s marble inlay workshops, gathering inspiration for combining delicate patterns with the supple surface of fish skin.
• Fort Bawara: Experiencing rural craft villages, where we learned hand-painted motifs and experimented with local vegetable tannins for eco-friendly finishing.
• Taj Mahal: Absorbing the monument’s harmonious geometry and elaborate arabesques, translating its timeless elegance into sketches for future MOR collections.
Translating Inspiration into Design
Each location enriched our design language:
• Natural Dye Experiments: Samples of indigo, madder, and pomegranate husks to develop a bespoke MOR palette.
• Surface Treatments: Techniques like embossing, inlay, and hand-painting adapted for fish skin’s unique grain.
• Pattern Development: Mughal and Rajasthani motifs reinterpreted into modern, minimalist forms that align with MOR’s aesthetic.
Next Steps for MOR:
1. Prototype Development: Integrate newly sourced dyes and pattern stencils into upcoming fish-skin clutch designs.
2. Artisan Collaboration: Establish partnerships with Indian studios to co-create limited-edition pieces that celebrate cross-cultural craftsmanship.
3. Sustainable Practices: Document eco-tanning processes learned at Fort Bawara and apply them across our production line.
Beyond what we discovered on this trip, we’re eager to explore vegetable-based adhesives from Rajasthan, investigate water-repellent finishes used in Delhi’s leather trade, and perhaps plan a workshop where MOR designers and Indian artisans brainstorm side by side. Let’s keep the momentum going and turn these inspirations into signature accessories that tell a story of tradition, innovation, and responsible design.
