When you think about air quality, numbers and charts may come to mind. But what if those numbers could be transformed into something you could touch, wear, and carry with you every day? This was the idea behind Vaasla, a stole that tells the story of air quality through Lambadi embroidery. ‘Vaasla’ means “breathe” in the Lambadi language, Vaasla was created to make air quality data something people could feel connected to visually. Made by the skilled women of the Porgai Lambadi Artisans in Tamil Nadu, it brings together tradition and the urgent need for cleaner air.
Air pollution is a silent crisis affecting our health and livelihoods. Studies show it costs the global economy trillions each year and could lead to massive productivity losses if we don’t act. Vaasla’s design brings these realities to a visual language using traditional techniques.
The design process began with small samples, experimenting with different ways to represent data. A book that really helped me understand the intersection of data and textile design was ‘Record, Map & Capture in Textile Art‘ by Jordan Cunliffe. It was truly an excellent resource to understand how to approach such a unique project.
I explored block printing as a potential base for embroidery, trying different patterns and layouts. After multiple iterations, the team at CEEW was particularly drawn to one design. In this version, shades of grey and a single line of blue-yellow motifs conveyed the data vividly: 54 out of 100 people were represented in grey, indicating access to extremely poor air quality—air seven times worse than WHO recommendations. Dark grey represented 44 out of 100 people experiencing poor air quality, while a single line of blue and yellow motifs symbolised the 1 out of 100 who had access to air within the recommended levels. This visual approach captured the essence of the air quality crisis combined with traditional craftsmanship.
This stole is not just a piece of fabric; it’s a reminder of the need for clean air and the strength found in coming together to tackle challenges. In every thread, Vaasla holds the spirit of preserving a traditional art form and addressing a global problem. It’s a symbol of hope, urging us all to breathe freely and work towards a healthier future.