While casually surfing the internet for wallpaper designs, we stumbled across a series of exquisite patterns in a burst of colour depicting scenes of ancient Indian pageantry and traditional costumes. Digging deeper, we found these were created by one of the most respected textile houses in France, Pierre Frey, a few months ago.
An e-mail correspondence with the brand’s spokesperson revealed further details. This premium design house has been known to produce luxurious fabrics and wallpapers that draw inspiration from the artistic traditions of countries all over the world—from China to Africa to India. And this collection of panels and paintings from the 19th century that brings together Persian art and Indian motifs is part of that venture.
The Paris-based design house was established in1935 by Pierre Frey. His son, Patrick, joined the company in the 70’s and became its artistic director. Then when his father died, he took on the mantle of the CEO while still remaining the creative head. The India collection is a result of Patrick Frey’s multiple trips to the country revealed the brand’s spokesperson, Amandine Bredon.
While some motifs take their inspiration from old documents and old paintings, others Indian mythology and Indian clothing traditions. According to Bredon, Frey has always nurtured a deep fascination for India and finds it to be an endless source of inspiration, not just for its colours but also its culture. Moreover, he believes that this country has an innate sense of textile and has mastered certain techniques of embroidery better than anyone else.
And have customers been as fascinated by these creations? Yes, says Bredon, “They love them. I think people worldwide need to escape from everyday and enjoy having a piece of ‘exotism’ in their home. The response has been excellent thus far.”
The digitally printed patterns are created on materials such as hand-woven raffia and non-woven paper, and prices vary from 100 euros to 160 euros per metre. Here’s a closer look at the designs. Jardin de Mysore: This reproduces the exotic charm of an archival document from the end of the 19th century. The fauna (elephants, camels, lions, peacocks) and flora evoke India’s luxuriant nature. Gaya: This wallpaper is resplendent with the exuberance of ceremonial costumes from Rajasthan.
Patrick Frey couldn’t resist buying an ensemble of designs from a painter’s workshop in Jaipur to create this print. Diwali: This wallpaper represents the country’s biggest festival. Under a blue sky, the festival of lights is in full swing with women engaged in various activities and rituals associated with the festival.
En File Indienne: These four Indian scenes represent joyous ceremonial parades.
A panelled composition allows using this wallpaper as a decorative touch in a single panel or, on the contrary, to plunge into the story by repeating the panels to obtain a rhythmic repetition of contrasting colours. Ganesh: An elephant led by a mahout heads a procession of various characters and animals decorated with heavy jewellery; among them is the god of fortune, Lord Ganesh, and one of India’s most virtuous kings, Raja Harishchandra.