ABOUT
BIRTH OF THE BRAND
DIL SAAZII is founded by Nimisha Berner-Mund, of Indo-Nordic background and whose experiences living and working in metropolises of the world (London, Paris, Delhi, New York) has afforded her global sensibilities. She also carries breadth of knowledge of Indian culture, having lived in several, distinctive parts of India, from its deserts, to the Himalayas to the tropics. With this came her knowledge of the local cultural expressions (design, culinary and other), and she continues to rabbit hole into new expressions today.
Our founder was eager to take India's finest heritage arts to the world and began preparing to explain to you all why these arts matter. She was quickly humbled as it became fairly clear, fairly quickly, that you already know it matters! Most of you are, in fact, curious and eager to engage with these crafts. You just need to do it in a way that still feels authentic to your own, modern lifestyle.
With this understanding, DIL SAAZII was born.
OUR NORTH STAR
Millenia ago, poets fused the words “Dil” (heart, spirit) and “Saazii” (crafting, making), to explain the art of “Dil ko banana” or "making one’s heart and spirit". In taking this name we also took on its meaning as our North Star.
Our items and experiences are not the ‘basics’ that found your wardrobe, home or diary. However, they are ‘essentials’, if you subscribe to our view that heart and spirit must be staples, even for the minimalist. Combined with strong form and function, true to Nordic values, they make for what in design language is called “hero items”.
Yes these can serve as heirlooms. Yes they can be conversational pieces. But above all they enable you to practice 'Dil-Saazii'. They make you want to pause to marvel. Marvel at what meets the senses, the exquisite craftsmanship and exceptional materials and then marvel at everything beyond, its storied past and relevance to lands and cultures.
BIRTH OF THE BRAND
DIL SAAZII is founded by Nimisha Berner-Mund, of Indo-Nordic background and whose experiences living and working in metropolises of the world (London, Paris, Delhi, New York) has afforded her global sensibilities. She also carries breadth of knowledge of Indian culture, having lived in several, distinctive parts of India, from its deserts, to the Himalayas to the tropics. With this came her knowledge of the local cultural expressions (design, culinary and other), and she continues to rabbit hole into new expressions today.
Our founder was eager to take India's finest heritage arts to the world and began preparing to explain to you all why these arts matter. She was quickly humbled as it became fairly clear, fairly quickly, that you already know it matters! Most of you are, in fact, curious and eager to engage with these crafts. You just need to do it in a way that still feels authentic to your own, modern lifestyle.
With this understanding, DIL SAAZII was born.
OUR NORTH STAR
Millenia ago, poets fused the words “Dil” (heart, spirit) and “Saazii” (crafting, making), to explain the art of “Dil ko banana” or "making one’s heart and spirit". In taking this name we also took on its meaning as our North Star.
Our items and experiences are not the ‘basics’ that found your wardrobe, home or diary. However, they are ‘essentials’, if you subscribe to our view that heart and spirit must be staples, even for the minimalist. Combined with strong form and function, true to Nordic values, they make for what in design language is called “hero items”.
Yes these can serve as heirlooms. Yes they can be conversational pieces. But above all they enable you to practice 'Dil-Saazii'. They make you want to pause to marvel. Marvel at what meets the senses, the exquisite craftsmanship and exceptional materials and then marvel at everything beyond, its storied past and relevance to lands and cultures.
WE VALUE: CELEBRATING THE CRAFTSPEOPLE
DIL SAAZII is also interpreted by some as “Dil se banana” or “making with heart and spirit”
We believe, heritage arts have persevered through generations and tests of time because of the heart and spirit of craftspeople. Where originally, the patrons of these arts were royalty and nobility who commissioned the work (i.e. paid for the expensive raw material, the overhead, the research, the training), today the patrons are the artists themselves. They bear the costs, amidst tapered demand, seasonal limitations (silk and pashmina has a brief window of interest in India) and geopolitical challenges (Kashmir). They often choose this path, forgoing other lucrative employment. Only because cultural provenance matters, these arts forms matter. At DIL SAAZII, we are deeply committed to sharing this responsibility and are eager to spotlight the spirit of the true patrons.
WE VALUE: CELEBRATING NATURE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING
'Samband' means the same thing in Hindi and Scandinavian languages - connection.
The Samband between Indian and Nordic design lies in their reflection of nature: be it in using natural materials or design inspiration from nature. Our products liberally employ motifs of florals, plants and also primarily employ natural materials, that are biodegradable, renewable and which range from low-impact production (e.g. silk) to very low impact (e.g. pashmina). However, we have a long way to go to meet our ambitions, and as our next steps are working on use of natural dyes (curing for unpredictability, which may lead to waste of precious raw material).
