The notion of fluidity is all too familiar this year. The constant pivoting, closures, changes, and endless stream of events have forced us to embrace fluidity as a means of survival. Interestingly, this year required us to be fluid while at the same time pressing pause on our lives as we knew them. This pause allowed for creativity to flow freely, new passions to be explored, and a connection to oneself to be cultivated.
The founder of the Indian luxury handbag brand Aranyani, Haresh Mirpuri, was inspired by this notion when creating the newest collection titled the ‘Fluidity Collection’. The collection features two bright colors that stand out among the rest; blue and orange. While the blue represents a calm and tranquil state, the orange bursts with creativity and vibrancy. The paradox works to represent the dichotomy of what many have experienced this past year and, like every Aranyani handbag, it is presented through the highest quality materials possible. Fluidity will also introduce the Fragrant Trails Collection. This collection combines ancient gold leafing techniques to create a motif that is inspired by one of the most well-known flowers in India, often used for worship. The gold leaf painting is an ancient Indian craft that has been introduced as an art in luxury leather bags for the first time, and has been mastered by Aranyani’s craftsmen and women in their atelier.
Mirpuri started the brand after working in the textile industry for over two decades, gaining expertise in every level of the field. During this time he was able to see the mass manufacturing and the wastage it produced and vowed to create something better. This commitment has led to his brand being hyper-focused on quality, detail, and ethical craftsmanship with no waste. Each piece is exquisitely unique, original in every aspect, and made by artisans who reflect the brand’s vision. In fact, each member of the talented team participates in a three-year training program alongside the top leather craftspeople in Europe to perfect their talents before they start.
The brand also draws upon centuries-old traditions throughout the design and production process; the story and traditions of India weaved throughout every pattern and detail. It was built on the notion of Atelier, a concept representing a small family-run shop made to serve the community. This meaningful system has remained present in practice throughout the years, and in modern history has inspired many European fashion houses. Aranyani has merged the original concept with these modern ateliers, striking a perfect balance of tradition and style. This balance seeps into every aspect of Aranyani, each collection elevating these artisan traditions to produce top quality, fashionable, and timeless pieces.
The respect for Indian culture doesn’t stop there. The brand’s philosophy is guided by three main principles derived from ancient Indian texts: Service, Awareness, and Inclusivity. With these, they focus on committing to a minimal environmental impact and ensure inclusivity in every step of the business, through the housing and training of all staff members and their families. Not only does the brand also place a focus on conserving nature through responsible practices, but it also appreciates the essence of nature through the designs themselves. The timelessness of nature is mirrored in the timelessness of each piece, made to last a lifetime and never ceases to inspire.
These deep roots to tradition are also present in the concepts of their two previous collections; Stone Drops and Kesuda. The Stone Drop collection features rims on each handbag called stone drops. The stone drops are beautifully crafted circles at the clasp of each handbag, the number of stones in each reflecting Hemachandra Numbers. This number sequence follows the rule that each number is the sum total of the preceding two, an order created by the 11th-century Indian scholar Acharya Hemachandra, who discovered the golden ratio. This number ratio in essence represents natural beauty. It is found within everything that we find naturally pleasing, from a simple flower to a complex musical rhythm. Aranyani’s use of sequence in their handbags honors Hemachandra’s work, which often gets wrongly credited to the Italian mathematician Fibonacci. The Kesuda collection draws inspiration from the Kesuda flower, an exotic flower that when bloomed looks as if it’s been lit ablaze. It is called the “Flame of the Forest” by many and represents tranquility and confidence. These scared bright red petals are reflected in the unique Kesuda designs which pay homage to the natural beauty of the flower.
The all-encompassing care and intention behind Aranyani is nothing short of remarkable. It’s rare to find a brand that carries these principles throughout the entire process from their global impact, to how each artisan is treated. These values all work together to bring an almost tangible energy to each elegant handbag. When purchasing an Aranyani you truly aren’t just receiving a luxury handbag, but a philosophy in itself.