World's Top Shops 2005

Top Textiles: Soma Shop
"Soma Shop is a Jaipur, India-based producer of hand block-printed textiles. Exacting production standards make every item unique: A 90-by-108-inch bedspread gets about 1,400 different stamps, and different sized bolts of cloth are printed differently. So although a table cloth and a napkin may feature the same print, they were cut separately from a plain bolt of fabric and printed and stitched accordingly. Everything is made from 100% cotton. Soma Shop's strongest suit is their enormous design repertoire: Prints range from authentic and colorful birds, trees, fruit and flowers, bordered by the bold blues and reds typical of Rajasthan, to tropical fish in bright greens and pinks more reminiscent of Lily Pulitzer than the Third World. Everything from cosmetic cases and coasters to napkins, tablecloths and bedding is available here, and men's, women's and children's clothing is for sale as well."
Soma Shop, 5 Jacob Road, Civil Lines, Jaipur, 302 006, India
For more information, call (011) 91-141-2222778 or visit www.somashop.com.

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