Monday, 29 June 2009

(design*sponge.guest blog) jodie fried




Here is the latest instalment from the design*sponge guest blog I did last year. The original post is here and more about Jodie and her work is here and here. Enjoy!

Creators – sneak peak into their design world

There’s so much to say and so little space, so today I’m going to give you a sneak peak into the design worlds behind some of my favourite products. For more about these amazing women visit Daily Imprint.

Burst of inspiration: Jodie Fried, Bholu

The story behind Bholu is inspiring enough – then you see and feel the product!

How and why did you start Bholu? Bholu was born after I had been living in India for a couple of years. I went there on a scholarship to work as a set and costume designer for a traditional Indian dance company and fell in love with the country and its people. After a devastating 2001 earthquake, I went to assist aid for a village in the desert region of Kutchchh. During this time I experienced amazing hospitality and became particularly close with the women, whose beautiful traditional embroidery is only really used for their own clothing. Immediately I thought I have to do something with this. A few years later, I went back with my designs and gave the samples to village women to see what would happen. I achieved some amazing results. The women laughed at the lack of sophistication of my designs and thought their “Bholu” could do better! (Bholu meaning a small child, often a term of endearment to a grandchild.) The name stuck and Bholu was born!

What are your favourite pieces from the range? I adore the toys - the result of a collaboration with the children in the slum communities. I designed them from their drawings, trying to be as accurate as possible to capture the awkward and childlike way children interpret their imagination. A lot of the creatures have quirky anatomy which makes them undefinable as a particular animal. Adults love them just as much the kids.

Images courtesy of Bholu

4 comments:

em kaveney - elki design said...

Hi Natalie, I love reading your blog and the many interesting interviews you conduct. I have actually awarded you a 'Lovely blog award' as well. If your happy to receive it, these are these are the rules to follow:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for showcasing this designer! I was looking for some nice cushions and hers are perfect - but I would've never found them without your blog :)

Natalie Walton said...

Thanks Elki Designs! Very sweet of you. Will try to get this done. x

Natalie Walton said...

Belsmusings, I have to confess that I have a couple of bholu cushions and throws and baby toys and sheet sets... yes, once you start, you can't stop. well, I can't.

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