Ateliers Courbet is pleased to announce the unveiling of Nine.5, a limited edition of sculptural objects and furniture works resulting from the collaboration between NY-based architect and designer Suchi Reddy and Ekaya, one of India’s most revered Banarasi textile ateliers situated in New Delhi. Resulting from a five-year dialogue between Reddy, Ekaya, and Courbet about elevating Indian craftsmanship and heritage to the global stage, the collaborative series includes a bench, chaise, chair, table, and lighting of highly contemporary wood silhouettes. Crafted by SFA Works and upholstered in brilliantly colored custom textiles designed by Reddy and woven by Ekaya’s master weavers using the intricate and time-honored weaving techniques from Banaras, the collection highlights the heritage of innovation in craft.

The Nine.5 collection celebrates the cultural significance of the saree, drawing inspiration from its 9.5 yards of fabric draped around the human body. Each piece within the collection engages in a dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, highlighting the versatility and enduring relevance of Indian textiles.

Drawing inspiration from the concept of zero, a numeral introduced to mathematics by Hindu astronomer and mathematician Brahmagupta in 628 AC, Reddy created a bespoke textile design. This innovative fabric, featuring a contemporary herringbone pattern overlaid with a zero motif, serves as the upholstery for her sculptural furniture forms, seamlessly blending ancient mathematical concepts with modern design aesthetics. Each design in the collection is meticulously crafted and features vibrant colors characteristic of Banarasi textiles. Central to the collection is the reimagining of traditional weaving techniques through a contemporary lens, symbolizing the evolution and adaptability of India’s craft.

Situated in Northern India, Ekaya’s 120-year-old handloom atelier hails from a long lineage of master weavers. Renowned for its sought-after Banarsi textiles, the Shah family has upheld the intricate weaving techniques of Banaras for over four generations as one of India’s most esteemed textile ateliers. Under the current leadership of both Palak Shah and her father, Bharat Shah, the family workshop developed its signature collection, Ekaya, in 2012, aimed at preserving the centuries-old weaving techniques of Banaras and the family legacy through more globally appealing and modern designs. Equally revered by their peers and the fine textiles appreciators worldwide, the Shah family has slowly developed an extensive network of over 10,000 master weavers through generations, all contributing to the Ekaya’s rich heritage.

For the first time, the torch is being passed to a woman in the family, Palak Shah. Combining visionary leadership with a deep appreciation for her country’s cultural heritage and family legacy, Shah has brought new projects to the studio with international collaborations to shift the global perception of Indian handloom textiles. These recent initiatives seek to preserve the time-honored Banarsi techniques by developing new textile applications and expressions through the lenses of cross-disciplinary artists and designers, as exemplified by its latest collaboration with renowned New York-based architect and designer Suchi Reddy, unveiled at Ateliers Courbet this fall.

Initiated by the family-owned textile atelier’s fourth generation and first female leader Palak Shah, the capsule collection brings together two multicultural female entrepreneurs of Indian origin who have contributed to their respective industries with groundbreaking achievements, visionary leadership, and free spirits. Nine.5 is their homage to their country’s rich cultural heritage. Inviting master weavers to explore new techniques with modern and abstract patterns, Reddy expands Ekaya’s handloom silk textiles’ possible uses with a new palette of colors—ranging from rust and teal to rose and olive.