What India Did to My Eye for Beauty
On color, texture, and the moment a country permanently rearranged my eye.
The night before we left, we booked our flights and packed as fast as humanly possible. Our trip to India was meticulously planned before we had to cancel everything, and at the eleventh hour, we found ourselves on our first ten-hour flight of the trip.
Our best friends were getting married, and we had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The trip kicked off with us meeting them in Mumbai for a week of our favorite activities: eating & shopping. It was a true luxury to experience the other side of the world with amazing friends and to share in their traditions through something as monumental as their nuptials.
It’s hard to put into words how exciting Mumbai is, and it completely took us by storm. Our mission for this leg of the trip was to find our attire for the wedding events, but of course, the beautiful fabrics, creativity, and craftsmanship had their own side effect we wholly welcomed — we left with a little more than we planned for.
The local shopping was far better than I had daydreamed in the months (year) leading up to this trip. Color placements and pairings stopped me in my tracks. “More is more” really stands true in India, and I truly couldn’t get enough of it. Pairing patterns and mixing textures I’d never normally. One of my favorite experiences was a very random moment, but so worthwhile: the fabric stores. Getting to see and touch the fabrics and textures that filled the streets and stores was such a unique way to get inspired. I bought entirely too much fabric, but have borderline used it all.
A new streak of creativity jumped inside my soul and really set everything on fire… in a life-changing way.
Beyond the shops and markets, the nature surrounding us had me starry-eyed. I’m typically interested in what flora and fauna fill the spaces I’m in. But how could you not be, specifically in India, with cows, monkeys, and dogs filling the streets, peacocks in the morning, and beautiful birds everywhere? The energy was very laidback and breezy, but when it came to service, everything was incredibly detailed and intentional—a combination I adore. The driving was the most frenzied thing I’ve ever seen, with somehow absolutely no road rage or aggression. It honestly felt like the perfect depiction of Mumbai; it was a hundred new things at once in the most wonderful way.
Another glowing piece of the puzzle was the interior decorating. Of course, most of the places we spent time in were hotels, restaurants, and shops, but each had its own sense of grandeur. Most rooms greeted you with striking floral arrangements, so the moment you stepped inside, the aromas were otherworldly.
This once-in-a-lifetime trip impacted my mind, and I was actively watching it happen.
We hopped on a quick flight to Jaipur to experience the city for a few days before driving to the fort. Shopping at the bazaar was exhilarating; the sheer number of options was more than you could ever ask for or even hope to shop through. The infamous “pink city” held true to its name; the use of such a unique and unexpected color throughout the cityscape really lit up the view. The pink signifies a warm welcome, which is exactly what we felt. We finished up our wedding and gift shopping and trekked to the most gorgeous 300-year-old fort for the ceremonies.
India brought me to a place of pushing the limits, stepping outside of the box, and forgetting whatever lasting grip a monochromatic wardrobe had on me. My clothing was really the only place I had become a black-and-white aficionado, and it was time to let my personality and love of color drip into my closet.
I’ve never been one to follow trends, really just styling what makes me happy or I think is cool, but a new extension of my style formed after this experience. India refueled my zest for making life beautiful, and it seeped into every part of my mind. I find myself staring at different corners of my life, thinking about how I can put even more into it, whether that be our home, hobbies, closets, or the everyday mundane.
Find your Bachét.