Interview with Apourva

Apourva
Apourva
Co-founder and CEO
Life n Colors
Life n Colors

We have carved garnered recognition in luxury properties globally
Prasanaakshi is a luxury home textile brand redefining interiors with its exquisite range of fabrics for sofas, chairs, cushions, curtains, and table linens. Inspired by India’s rich textile heritage and Western design influences, the brand seamlessly blends tradition with elegance. 
Created by the team behind the renowned home décor brand Life n Colors, Prasanaakshi upholds the same commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. Designed for sophisticated living, its collections bring timeless beauty and unmatched craftsmanship to every space. In a chat with Fibre2Fashion, Life n Colors Co-founder and CEO Apourva explains how Prasannakshi’s each piece is crafted drawing inspiration from iconic art forms.

With globalisation, how is the Indian home textile industry positioning itself to compete with international markets?

Indian textiles leverage rich heritage and craftsmanship, blending it with contemporary designs to appeal to global audiences seeking uniqueness and quality.

What role does technology, such as automation or digital printing, play in revolutionising the home textiles manufacturing process?

Technology, especially digital printing or use of automated embroidery machines, allows us to craft intricate designs with precision while minimising environmental impact, revolutionising home textiles.

How is the home textile sector addressing the increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products?

Brands are adopting eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and focusing on carbon neutrality, just as we have at Prasanaakshi, setting a benchmark for sustainability.

What are some of the key trends shaping the home textile industry today, and how do you see them evolving in the coming years?

Sustainability, storytelling designs, and multifunctional fabrics are shaping the industry. These trends are likely to evolve with technology integration and increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly luxury.

Could you share the story behind Prasanaakshi’s inception and the vision that guided its foundation?

Prasanaakshi was born from Life n Colors’ passion for creating beautiful spaces. With a vision to spread joy and happiness, we expanded into home textiles to complement our exquisite wallpapers, offering a seamless and luxurious design experience.

What is the design philosophy behind your home textile collections, and how do you ensure they resonate with modern consumer preferences?

Our design philosophy blends intricate Indian and international art forms to create story-inspired textiles. Each piece is crafted to exude luxury while complementing contemporary aesthetics, making them timeless and versatile.

Sustainability is crucial in today’s textile industry. How does Prasanaakshi incorporate sustainable practices in its production processes?

We use water-based inks, minimise waste, and are proud to be a carbon-neutral company, ensuring our products align with eco-conscious values.

How does Prasanaakshi differentiate itself in the competitive home textiles market, and what makes your products stand out?

Our unique storytelling designs, inspired by global art forms, paired with the ability to seamlessly coordinate with Life n Colors wallpapers, set us apart as a one-stop solution for luxurious interiors. Till now, people have been using very plain simple upholstery material, especially for sofa and chair. We want to give more design options with bold and colourful patterns.

Could you elaborate on any recent innovations in your home textiles offerings and how they cater to evolving customer needs?

At Prasanaakshi, we continuously innovate to meet evolving customer needs, with one key advancement being textiles that seamlessly complement our wallpapers, enabling effortless creation of cohesive, sophisticated spaces. We have also introduced hand-embroidered fabrics that blend heritage craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, offering a bespoke touch of personalised luxury. Designed for versatility, our collection includes upholstery, curtains, table linens, cushions, and wall panels, combining traditional artistry, contemporary style, and sustainability to cater to the growing demand for timeless, eco-conscious designs. This holistic approach positions Prasanaakshi as a go-to brand for designing elegant and luxurious interiors.

Your products seem to reflect vibrant cultural aesthetics. How does Indian heritage influence your designs, and how do you blend tradition with contemporary trends?

Our designs are deeply rooted in India’s rich textile heritage, drawing inspiration from traditional techniques like kantha and ikat, as well as intricate cultural motifs that evoke a sense of history and craftsmanship. To create a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, we incorporate Western influences such as English stripes and contemporary patterns, appealing to global sensibilities. Additionally, we have developed unique fusion designs that merge Indian and world art forms, resulting in textiles that tell stories through their intricate details while maintaining a versatile appeal. This thoughtful integration ensures our collections celebrate vibrant cultural aesthetics while remaining relevant to modern design trends.

What are the major challenges Prasanaakshi has faced in scaling its operations, and how have you turned them into opportunities?

One challenge has been building awareness in a competitive market. By focusing on our unique designs and sustainable practices, we have carved a niche and garnered recognition in luxury properties globally. Life n Colors’ existing brand presence in interior designer and architect community helped us in quickly gaining access to new projects.

With the website showcasing your collections, how critical is the role of e-commerce in reaching a global audience?

E-commerce is pivotal, allowing us to connect with a worldwide audience. It showcases our collections and simplifies access for both designers and homeowners. A major share of our business comes from international markets, especially Indian diaspora in English speaking countries such as the US, UK, Middle East etc. Our online presence has helped us tremendously to capture such niche market. This would have been very difficult in conventional offline route.

Have you partnered with other brands, designers, or artisans to enhance your collections or broaden your reach?

Till now, we have engaged designers and artisans to get feedback and inputs in our designs. However entire designing process is done internally. We have a set of talented designers who develop such designs. In future, we may go for more engaged collaboration like launching co-branded products.

What’s next for Prasanaakshi? Are there any upcoming launches, expansions, or new market entries we can look forward to?

We are working on a new collection that further integrates sustainability and luxury, which is set to launch in 2025. This collection will narrate stories of new world art through home textiles.
On the business expansion front, we plan to collaborate with a few luxury home décor stores in key cities. Additionally, expanding into global markets remains a key focus for 2025.

Lastly, how are shifting consumer preferences, such as the emphasis on wellness and minimalism, influencing home textile design and functionality?

Consumers now seek designs that evoke calmness and luxury while also being functional. While our textiles reflect this shift with timeless aesthetics and sustainability, we are intentionally diverging from minimalistic design trends. Instead, we aim to carve out a unique niche catering to customer segments that demand bold patterns and designs.
Our focus is on creating bold, storytelling designs, which serve as our unique selling proposition (USP).
Interviewer: Shilpi Panjabi
Published on: 28/12/2024

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.