Banjanan

Women everywhere owe a debt to Banjanan designer Caroline Weller - she has figured out how to make the perfect summer dresses! The Banjanan collection features the clothes we have all been craving and up until now can never find! We are talking about tunics, maxi dresses and shirt dresses that are cool, chic, flattering and, with a simple change of an accessory, can work in the city or on vacation.

Women everywhere owe a debt to Banjanan designer Caroline Weller - she has figured out how to make the perfect summer dresses! The Banjanan collection features the clothes we have all been craving and up until now can never find! We are talking about  tunics, maxi dresses and shirt dresses that are cool, chic, flattering and, with a simple change of an accessory, can work in the city or on vacation. Of course Caroline is very deft when it comes to design. She has been in the business at a variety of design firms including Club Monaco and J.Crew and she is undeniable chic and lives in a magical city- Jaipur. Clearly all these factors have come together in one perfect moment to create a collection perfectly in step with the lives of modern women. Read how Jaipur has inspired Caroline?s style [she takes her son Leopard tracking!] and shop her collection of perfect summer clothes.

 

 

How long have you been living in Jaipur? You must have seen it change dramatically over the past few years?  

 

I've lived in Jaipur for 4 years now. It has changed, but its charm and creativity remain.  The first time I visited Jaipur to work was over 20 years ago! It has changed dramatically since then! There were hardly any cars on the main street, just classic ambassadors and camel carts! There was also only one bar to go to, so everyone knew each other and got up to lots of mischief!

 

How has living in Jaipur influenced your style?  

 

It gets extremely hot here. Indian women stay covered from the sun and mix incredible yet unexpected color and patterns together. I get inspired every time I step outside the door just looking at them.  I also love the way Jaipur women are beautifully dressed every single day, with saris, scarves or jewelry.  It inspires me to always wear at least one statement piece when I leave the house! Often one of my Banjanan dresses.

 

 

 

 

Since you live in one of the most exotic cities in the world where do you go to vacation?

I love traveling in India to a quiet beach in Goa or to Ladakh in the Himalayas.  I love a good market anywhere in the world, so Istanbul or Bangkok are favorites.  

 

 

Since you wear so many hats, designer, mother, business owner, can you give us a sense of what a day in your life is like?

My son wakes me up early, and it's often very hot, so I get a lot of work done before 9 am when I top for yoga.  I tend to speak to my team in New York very early or very late due to the time difference.  I visit the craftsmen most days, and often take my son with me after school.  He really enjoys block printing and he's always spoiled rotten by the artisans!  Often we'll take a break and go on an adventure, like an elephant ride or to track leopards! 

 

 

What are the must go-to local spots you would suggest every globetrotter visit in Jaipur?

• Must stay: at Anopura in the countryside just outside Jaipur.  
• Must eat: Dinner at Mosaics guesthouse on the rooftop terrace with a view of Amber fort.
• Must for a cocktail: The rambagh hotel, one of the maharaja's palaces.  
• Must for adventure: A private elephant ride and dinner under the stars in the jungle at Dera Amer.  

 

 

 

 

Images: Instagram @banjanan

 

 

 

What are your summer holiday plans?

I'm on holiday now! We always spend the summer with family at our homes in the Swiss alps and the Cote d'azur - a mixture of mountains and beach!  This year I'll also be catching up with friends in New York, Los Angeles and Hawaii.  

 

 

Shop the Banjanan collection here.