About

{ About Tanvi }

Rich fabrics have always been a part of my life. Growing up the oldest of an Indian family, it was evident that I would inherit all of my mother's sarees and vintage fabrics once I was "old enough" to have them. 


In 2006 I started at RIT as an industrial design MFA student. I knew that I wanted to work with fiber and my thesis project was an ensemble of pattern making /designing /sewing / researching / wasting fabric and more. During this time I acquired 3 different sewing machines and learned a lot of different sewing techniques.


After my thesis, I continued to explore different fabric construction/ deconstruction methods and in the process designed one of a kind  scarves and clutch bags. 


{ About the Scarves }

My work includes contemporary abstract pieces that interlace the realities of dreams, relationships, and nature. The shifting levels and layered depths evoke the interplay of what’s above and below the surface.

I generally start with plain cotton or muslin and build up richly layered constructions with hand-dying, wax media, stamping and color discharge techniques. Pieces are assembled with collage, stitchery, and embellishment. The fabrics that I use for collage are either inherited from my family (sarees) or I buy the scraps of leftover fabric from manufacturers of garments. I often get half a shirt, dress and even lingerie as part of the remnants.


Each and every one of my scarves is unique. No two are ever the same and I pride myself in making sure that each is perfect in terms of construction and aesthetic appeal.


Tanvi is the recipient of Brockport summer arts festival first place in fiber arts award as well Cornhill Arts Festival first place in fiber/wearable art award.