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Island Craft Special Projects – Michele Mirchandani
Island Craft is a project that was initiated by AOD design campus in Colombo to integrate contemporary design knowledge with traditional craft. It was set-up in order to help artisan communities, preserve the local craft heritage and give the local businesses an opportunity to use craft as high quality, modern interior products.
Today, the project works with nearly five-hundred artisans across the island and their collaborations with AOD designers have given rise to a range of high-end product collections created especially for retail partners and hotels. Island Craft aims to bring in a modern aesthetic that is truly Sri Lankan to the local interiors and prove that solutions for Sri Lanka’s interior furnishing needs exist within the local talent pool, leaving hardly any reason to import such products. With a string of success stories already under its belt, Island Craft now opens its doors to retail boutiques, architectural firms, interior design studios and hotels, to use its design and manufacturing resources and collaborate for custom product ranges.
Following is an interview with Michele Mirchandani who handles Special Projects at Island Craft. Mirchandani speaks about the uniqueness contributed by Island Craft to Sri Lanka’s craft design landscape and why the project gives retailers, architects, hoteliers, etc. an opportunity use craft in their businesses. Following are excerpts:
Q: What is Island Craft’s uniqueness in this market and how is it contributing something special to Sri Lanka?
A: The most unique aspect that Island Craft (IC) brings to the table is design knowledge. With this being an AOD project, we have access to a great pool of designers who have been educated and trained to understand the global aesthetic. AOD’s international faculty whose expertise on global trends and movements is also a great strength that we have, as it helps us create product for a global clientele. In addition, with AOD we also have access to a research centre that looks into various crafts, their history etc. which helps us immensely in forming new outlooks to preserve crafts for the future and reinvent them for the present day.
With all this contemporary knowledge, Island Craft is able to create products that appeal to an educated, cultured, global consumer. Therefore we have a unique strength in designing and manufacturing unique, custom products whether it is for retail, interior architecture projects, hospitality or tourism. What Island Craft presents is a new Sri Lankan style that is designed and made in Sri Lanka which we’re very proud of. Now we invite home-ware retailers, architects, interior designers and hoteliers to join hands to support our own artisans and craft heritage.
Q: Island Craft is not a focused retailer. Therefore, how do these exceptional products reach the market?
A: There are already several great retailers for Sri Lankan craft products. We maintain a pop-up store on Duplication Road which is mainly to connect with these retailers. Island Craft works closely with such retailers to provide them with unique collections that are usually exclusive for that particular brand. In addition to this we also work on similar projects with international retail boutiques and home-ware brands.
Island Craft also works closely with the local hotel industry and several international hospitality brands. Since most hotels in Sri Lanka want to tell a story about this island in their own way, Island Craft is a great way to do this because we create custom collections for hotels and help them capture a truly Sri Lankan design philosophy for their interiors from textiles, basketry, crockery and other utilities.
Q: What can retailers expect from Island Craft in 2015?
A: Island Craft is now opening out its resources in design and research to develop unique product ranges for retailers. Therefore retail brands that usually purchase a ready-made product from a manufacturer, now have an opportunity to work with the manufacturer and develop the range according to their brand philosophy and consumer demands. This gives them access to a collection that is not only unique to them but also is in tune with their brand image. I think this is something very unique that we’re offering the retail world.
Q: What can the hotel industry expect from Island Craft in 2015?
A: Most travellers visit Sri Lanka captivated by its culture and stunning landscapes. It is important that these attractions are maintained in our resorts with the same charm and clarity. What Island Craft offers the hotel industry is a chance to capture the best of Sri Lanka- from craft, community, colours to material- with truly unique product ranges designed and made by Sri Lankan hands with material that was sourced locally.
It’s quite an opportunity for new boutique hotels, etc. looking to establish their identity with the textiles and products that they use in their business. What we can guarantee is a high-quality product that they can also help us develop with their specifications. I think in addition to the business aspect, it also gives the hospitality industry to give back to the local community by supporting our artisans and weave a truly sustainable story around their brand – exactly the kind of story that the educated traveller today appreciates and values.
Q: How can retailers and hoteliers connect to Island Craft?
A: For new collaborations and special projects I would like to invite everyone to reach us on 0777788484 or 011 5867772-3 or visit our studio at 33, Duplication Road Colombo 4 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. We would like to invite retailers, architects, interior designers and hoteliers to come see our sampling studio to view previous products, etc. and our new ranges. In 2015 we’re looking to join hands with new clients and offer our services to a wider group.
