Harshita Lohia is a textile artisan who creates wearable works of art that reflect her Indian heritage, international travels, and artistic sensibilities.
“There’s a certain story behind every scarf and a lot of creativity and process,” Harshita explained. “Everything has to make sense. It has to tell a story of where I traveled.”
Harshita, whose name means “joyous” in her native Hindi language, fuses Japanese surface design techniques with delicate florals and architectural elements to create vivid hand-painted silk accessories. Scarves are the main focus of Harshita Designs, based in Yardley, Pennsylvania, but the collection also includes shawls, tunics, jackets, and men’s ties.
“I want to spread joy, and I want people to enjoy what they are wearing,” she said.
The Princeton University Art Museum Store presently carries a wide selection of Harshita’s silk scarves, including her playful three-dimensional cylinder scarf collection.
Born in Kolkata, India, Harshita is a sixth-generation descendant of the Chamong Tea Estate. Harshita’s father would bring back unusual paints and brushes during international business trips to encourage his daughter’s artistic talents. She had her first solo exhibition in a local art gallery at age 15.
Harshita earned a bachelor’s degree in textile design at Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia. She went on to obtain a master’s in digital printing at Philadelphia University. She eventually settled in Yardley and has personally trained 14 craftsmen to help with the labor-intensive process of silk screening. All textiles are made in small batches and limited quantities.
“I like the idea of someone wearing a work of art that is original,” she said. “What I make is more than a trend. Each piece is made of high-quality luxurious silks that make a timeless fashion statement.”
Natural elements, manmade structures, symbols of Indian culture, and simple geometrical forms also serve as inspirations for Harshita’s designs. These visions are sketched, then turned into a design repeat using a CAD (Computer Aided Design) process. Elements of each design are carved into a wooden block. Separate blocks are carved for each color.
Depending on the design, white silk is hand-dyed or spray painted to create the background surface. Textures are created using simple tools, such as combs, brushes, papers, wood grains, and metal pieces.
The main design motifs are printed on the fabric using acid dyes that she creates. The printed fabric is then steamed, washed, and dried so the rich colors set in.
Because each item is hand-dyed and hand-stamped, “each one ends up being one of a kind,” Harshita said. “There’s always a little difference in each one.”
Please call for more information, or visit the Princeton University Art Museum Store to see a selection of Harshita scarves.