The way we design our homes says much about our personalities. But whatever taste and style, I believe it is important to carefully select what we let into our homes,” says Meera Saxena. “This is the place where we can control what we surround ourselves with. We should know where products we use come from, who has made them, under what conditions.”
The Creative Director of Loom Mool, Meera has a strong design background, with over 13 years in the fashion industry. She began her career studying design in Berlin and completed her studies with a master of arts in London.
Prior to working with SEWA Bharat, she was the Design Head for Marks and Spencer, where she led the design and development team for women’s wear. Meera has also worked as a designer and brand consultant in London, New York and Berlin, associating with many high end and luxury brands during her tenures.
When designing and creating, Meera has an instinctive sense of detail and is often inspired by everyday objects and compositions.
In 2012, Meera launched a brand named after her. ‘Meera S’ is a collection of women’s apparel and accessories, currently sold in India, Turkey, Germany and London.
Loom Mool is a lifestyle brand representing a contemporary style of traditional Indian handloom. With a special focus on sustaining Indian fabrics, the brand brings forth a balance of the urban style with time honoured Indian arts.
The brand name has an interesting connect where Loom is short for Handloom and Mool, while being an anagram to loom, also means ‘essence’ in Hindi. The brand translates itself to a soulful, craft-inspired, easy and trendy yet classic line of products. Each product on the shelf of the quaint Hauz Khas Village store has a story to be told, which makes the product worthy and memorable.
Supporting fabric artists from Bihar and in association with other handicraft cooperatives by SEWA Bharat, Loom Mool lets Indian artists define the latest fashion trends in their own individual manner. It also ensures regular work and fair wages to the artisans for their handicraft to promote a sustainable livelihood.
Launched in 2013 and supported by SEWA Bharat- Self-employed Women’s Association of India, Loom Mool presents products made using traditional crafts with a strong contemporary blend. Their extensive product line ranges from apparel, accessories to home furnishings.
Meera firmly believes that it is important to know the source where the objects in your home are coming from. “We should know that our cotton t-shirt is ideally organic and made in a factory which treats humans in ethical manner,” she says. “We want to know where the fabric of our upholstery comes from and where the cushions are stitched. Dyes should be health and environment friendly and with as little chemicals as possible. We also want to take a social responsibility by buying products that support the makers in every possible way,” she adds.
Additionally, she says eco-friendly materials make any home feel luxurious while being understated and safe. The key aspect according to her is that no matter how minimal the design, using natural fibres and fabrics, rich woods, stone and clay make a home warm, welcoming and ecologically sound.
There are many ways of designing our cherished home in an eco-friendly way. Let’s start with the soft furnishings that give our living spaces personal touches.
Meera loves soft furnishings. They add very personal touch to your living space. One should choose natural fibres such as raw silks, linens and soft cottons. These fabrics become even nicer over a period of time. Natural colours create a calm Zen, an idea of space and of uber luxury, even though the look is understated. Especially using a variety of undyed fabrics can create a beautiful mix of shades of clay, sand, duck egg, dove grey and whites.
Touches of colour can be added through seasonal flowers or simply drape a bunch of green leaves in a glass vase bringing some of nature into your home in the lightness of glass. Or add a bright spot to your sofa by draping a cobalt blue hand woven wool silk throw over your sofa.
Natural textiles have wonderful properties when untreated and undyed or dyed in natural vegetable dyes. Silk is warming in the winter and some particular yarns for example, Katiya silk feels almost like cotton and works perfectly in the summer. On the other hand, wool silk is light but warming and cosy. One can also consider crisp natural organic white cotton is cooling and fresh perfect for hot summers.
Loom Mool: House No. 23, Ground Floor, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi.