As we continue Dextra’s quest of curating experiences, experts and exquisite brands, we are bringing you here a story, a journey of creative transition along an individual’s trail to discover one’s true style. We bring you the story behind Mother Gone Mad Design Studio which creates out-of-the-box, modern and quirky custom lighting for the aesthetes and design junkies alike. Genre-bending and defiant in her approach, lead designer, Ritika Nanda mashes up industrial, retro vintage, trash chic, contemporary boho and even the surreal with a touch of theatre. And she is always looking out for excuses to customize her radiant creations further.
Be it a suspended lamp made of hand-thrown ceramic, or a desk lamp that has a bicycle kick-stand for a leg, each Mother Gone Mad piece is an extension of one’s personality. The playful in out suspension in multiple colours or the specially designed installation inspired by pop- Japanese culture, the lighting pieces are all expressions of inspirations variously gathered. What brings it all together is designer Ritika Nanda’s own meandering along the path of creative discovery, and this is what we will share with you today, straight from the horse’s mouth as they say.
Tell us more about how did you leave the seemingly safe and traditional behind before taking off for a totally different pursuit?
Ritika – 10 years of fine jewellery designing after graduating from NIFT, taught me about detail and workmanship and tradition. Clients loved my work but there was, somehow, a missing connection. It was all gold and diamond and I still longed for pink and blue and yellow. I felt that jewellery was not fun enough for me, it has finesse and sophistication- like a beautiful princess – but I longed to splash in the mud, barefeet. And then, I think, having kids allowed me to start re-thinking and really considering another pursuit, this time more fun (even if with the excuse that I was entertaining them). The re-envisioning let out my wild side, as I put it, and one that never went back in. So, it was ‘Hello Mother Gone Mad’ right after and this has stayed on.
What would pin down as the your ‘Pursuit of Happiness’, related to and beyond MOTHER GONE MAD?
Ritika – What started out as an honest confession ended up as a marketing gimmick, with the often repeated question- why “Mother Gone Mad”. And I always answer – “It’s me”. Just the way Anahita’s jewellery is about its designer/ creator, MGM is me and I love how this makes most of them smile.
Also, and importantly, my lights, the inspirations and the creative process therein, is all about happiness – mine in creating and for the audience in sharing the ‘product wink’ (that’s my term for the amusing connection between product and user). Now, for me, colour is a sure way to create a good mood and memory is another treasure trove to dig in for the same, hence I attempt to convey a shared memory, a sentiment, through my products, with the traditional cross stitch, the perfume bottle project, the slide light and others. And I always hope that the presence of my designs in a space will spread happiness, will light up a smile on a face.
So what is next on you platter?
Ritika – Like most creative minds, I tend to get bored. So, it’s important to keep re-inventing, exploring new materials, new interests always being on the toes. Next up, I’d love to develop a collection of macramé lights or detailed weaving almost like painting/ art. I’d also love to take time out to spend some months with craftsmen developing completely new Lac lights , and enabling them to sell it to multiple vendors. This is just one thing, I do have a folder of concepts to develop where I pin my inspirations from material uses, to ideas and sketches.
To see more of this talented enterpreneur’s creations, please click here http://mothergonemad.wix.com/designstudio
