“No wabi-sabi for me. I’m totally like ‘Yeh bhi-voh bhi’.”
Lavina Baldota, a distinguished curator and textiles revivalist, personifies the synergy between art, craft, and culture
URBANITY
Lavina Baldota
What is your personal style?
It is inherently eclectic. I like putting together heritage pieces with contemporary ones. For me, dressing is more about mood and personal memory rather than trends.
Lavina Baldota is a sari lover
What is the most special item in your wardrobe?
The most special piece I own is a khadi sari hand-spun by my Baiji (grandmother), the person I was closest to. She worked closely with Acharya Vinoba Bhave during the freedom movement. She gifted me this sari after she saw my first curatorial work on Mahatma Gandhi.
The khadi sari woven by Lavina's grandmother
Who are your fashion heroes?
Elsa Schiaparelli and Amrita Sher-Gil are my enduring fashion heroes. Both were women of extraordinary imagination and courage, and I’ve always been drawn to their personalities and work.
What are your most favourite holiday destinations?
Maheshwar. Wildlife expeditions. And trips to Antarctica, Galapagos Islands, and Maldives have stayed with me in a very deep way. These are places that moved something within me.
What do you like to collect?
I am drawn to collecting handcrafted vintage textiles, jewellery, bags, and books. Objects that have lived before and carry memories and stories fascinate me.
What is the most significant gift you have given someone?
One of the most meaningful gifts I have given was entirely spontaneous. While travelling, the airport security lady admired something I was wearing around my neck, and I insisted on her keeping it. Another would be a poem I wrote, “Fossilised We Remain,”, accompanied by fossilised stone rings, for a dear friend’s milestone birthday.
What was the last thing you bought for yourself?
They were a vintage Kaani moon shawl and a bespoke outfit from Chorus. Both were chosen for their craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
Vintage Kaani moon shawl
Do you remember a time when you were happiest?
The happiest moments of my life were when I held my babies. I have been fortunate to experience that bond three times, and it remains the most fulfilling joy of my life.
What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement has been to turn my passion into my purpose.
Lavina at the her Sutr-Santiti exhibition, Mumbai
What does sustainability mean to you?
To me, sustainability begins with conservation and preservation but extends to respect, responsibility, and continuity.
Are you a minimalist or maximalist?
I am an unapologetic maximalist. I believe there is space for many influences, ideas, and aesthetics to exist together beautifully. So, no wabi-sabi for me. I’m totally like ‘Yeh bhi-voh bhi’.
What is on your Spotify list?
My Spotify playlist is varied, from ghazals and nazms, to Queen and Def Leppard.
What are you reading at the moment?
I usually have three to four books opened. One tends to be spiritual, one related to craft or textiles, one historical, and one literary.
Currently reading
What do you dream of at night?
I am a lucid dreamer. My dreams at night often feel like a continuation of the day. They are usually ideas, emotions, and situations that I’ve not expressed.
What are the phrases you use most?
Wow! Mazaa aa gaya! Theek hai na! Generally, expressions of wonderment, enjoyment, and acceptance.
What are your favourite foods?
Bhel, bhutta, khichdi, and pistachio gelato.
Where do your best ideas come from?
My best ideas arrive in moments of stillness. Lying in bed, daydreaming, and allowing the mind to wander freely is often when clarity and inspiration find their way to me.
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