My City Series | Nupur Goenka
Nupur Goenka is the Founder and Creative Director of AISH. She graduated from Tisch School of the Arts (NYU). She launched AISH in 2011, drawing inspiration from her love of textiles. Born and raised in India, Nupur’s early years were spent in community style living in a large Indian family. This encouraged inclusive play, being creative with fewer resources and a quiet sense of content, independent of individual identity. Nupur has carried these intuitive lessons all through her life, travels and business: Feeling like a local, being at ease about being different..
At AISH we work with the textile craft communities of India. Where entire families work on the same 10 meters of fabric. Where no single person is struggling to take credit for the work. Where the craft is bigger than the craftsman, and the end product is venerated as a piece of art, not just as a piece of cloth. This philosophy has guided us in how we design, produce and present our wares. Various skills of dyeing, weaving and embroidery come together harmoniously to create fine and luxurious handmade products.
AISH textiles have found their place across the globe in various cultures and activities, from Bombay to New York, Colombo to California and all the way to Tokyo.
1. Born and Raised or Expat?
Born and Raised in Calcutta, India
2. What led you to choose your current profession? And, what steps did you take to get there?
Aside from my fathers’ passion and knowledge on the textile industry, I stumbled into textiles and design through a friend who was looking to start and launch a new brand. About a year later, I started my own. I learned most about the supply chain and how to launch accordingly.
3. On your Day-to-Day routine?
Routine becomes a harder concept when you travel as much as I do. I spend about 5 months out of the year in Calcutta where routine involves much work and reflection. When I wake in Calcutta I journal and practice yoga/ meditation. I then head to work where I catch up with the different departments, check on samples, production, maintenance, etc. I then head into meetings that involve textile design, problem addressing and solving, etc. I then meet with each department to catch up and continue to make sure the brand is being translated and created into timeless and season-less collections. After work, I head to my Country Club for a swim then head home or go out with my friends.
4. What is your favourite brunch spot, and why?
There is not a brunch culture in Calcutta, but sometimes we do morning tea at a local spot with no real name and is more of a hole in the wall, but still popular nonetheless.
5. When you have guests, where in town do you like to take them for dinner?
I like to take guests to my home for a home cooked meal.
6. How has your city grown and changed since you’ve known it? Which changes did you like best? Why?
I think Calcutta is frozen in time, but has become more accepting as the world has evolved around it. I love that Calcutta has a small town feel with a big city reality.
7. What cool festivals, if any, happen in your city?
There is an annual book fair where authors, booksellers, and readers from all over the world come to see the old and new works of art. There are really great comics and novels, all translated across thousands of languages.
8. Where do you go to escape? How does this space bring you peace?
To escape, I go to the south, Chennai. In Channai I feel the ultimate peace as I see it as home with less structure, no work pressures and a calming atmosphere.
9. What’s a local brand in your area that we must know about?
Sabyesachi- I love the world he creates down to the little details; over the top and fantastical
10. Where and when is your next adventure?
I am rented a yacht this September and sailed out of Bodrum through the Greek Islands.
11. Does Travel breed creativity?
Travel breeds perspective and when your perspective opens you realize how vast the world is and that there is no one way to be. I think creativity is the power to immerse yourself in unknown situations by either solving a problem or by visualizing the unimagined. It is very directly related to seeking, which is the foundation of any travel.
12. As for connecting the mind, body and soul, what do you do to promote self-love?
Self -love is self- awareness. I cultivate self- awareness that can be tuned through journaling, meditation, swimming and being intimate with friends and family. Living life with awareness.
13. Who is one famous figure throughout history that has particularly brought you inspiration, and why?
I am not inspired by one singular person, but rather the stories of many poets and artists. Through their endurance, struggle, and ultimate triumph, the inspiration lies in their journey. I love reading poems by Emily Dickinson and Mary Oliver and their everyday acts of courage and love.
14. Are there any philanthropic programmes or projects that you’re passionate about or would like to shed some light on?
I am a firm believer in that charity starts at home. I love most to serve those in my family who are younger through supporting them with time, opportunity, resources, etc. It is important for me to give back and pay it forward to the woman in my family.
15. Entrepreneurs, Tastemakers and Trailblazers, where do people like you hangout in your city?
Historically, people have hung out in the India Coffee House in Calcutta, however me and my friends hang out in each others homes or at local country clubs where social events are hosted.
16. What is the importance of global connection to you?
I have always thought of AISH as an international brand that makes globally relevant products with local details and materials. The concept of global connection is the foundation of the brand.
17. Advice for budding entrepreneurs?
I am no advice giver. I have realized while on my own journey that what has mattered most is a win-win strategy and unrelenting perseverance
18. We’re living in a world where our attention to new innovation doesn’t seem to have longevity, how do you find your inspiration to make new waves with long-term prosperity?
I work with crafts, techniques, ideas, that are sometimes centuries old. They have survived and my job is to constantly make them relevant to our needs today. They are already long- term concepts and that is also why I was attracted to them.
20. Please share a playlist that embodies your work. What about this particular music brings you inspiration?
