Latest news with #NeyttbyExtraweave
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Going beyond the ‘Neytt gala'
Another edition of the Met Gala swept through New York with its usual swirl of stardust — celebrities shimmering under the flash of cameras, daring outfits turning heads, all for a museum, the New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Yet, amid the spectacle, this year's most unexpected showstopper wasn't any of the guests. For the little state of Kerala, and the Malayalis across the world, the proud moment was a weaving label from Cherthala. From halfway across the world, Neytt by Extraweave took centre stage by laying down the very carpet that welcomed the stars. Founded by Sivan Santhosh and his wife Nimisha Srinivas, this was Neytt's third Met Gala moment. The weaving house made its debut appearance at the Met in 2022 with a red-and-blue striped carpet for the theme — 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion'. In 2023, they mesmerised the world with a swirly red-and-blue print on an off-white sisal weave, made in collaboration with Japanese architect Tadao Ando for the Karl Lagerfeld tribute. 'The maiden order came through a long-term customer (a Kentucky-based company) of Extraweave. At first, we didn't know it was for the Met Gala. All we knew was that it was for a big fashion event. We were happy and proud to see our rug and the efforts of the local artist of Cherthala being featured on such a global platform. It was indeed a priceless moment,' says Sivan.
Economic Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
From God's own country, a carpet for screen demigods
Kochi: On the wooden floors of centuries-old synagogues in Fort Kochi and beneath the feet of Shah Rukh Khan and Rihanna at this week's Met Gala lies an unlikely connection: carpets crafted in a small coastal town that most Indians probably wouldn't locate on a map. ADVERTISEMENT For the third time in four years, Neytt by Extraweave, a sustainable rug company based out of Cherthala in Kerala's Alappuzha district, has supplied the sprawling wall-to-wall carpet for fashion's most photographed event. At a time when many traditional crafts struggle to find their place in the modern economy, this Kerala-based company has pulled off the textile equivalent of landing on the moon. Their Made-in-Cherthala carpet, stretching across 63,000 square feet of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's entrance, has become the literal foundation for fashion's most exclusive night, a striking reversal for an industry struggling with obsolescence. The rags-to-riches story is particularly startling in Cherthala, a town in Alappuzha district where its traditional weaving was once sought after globally but has now almost faded into obscurity. Alappuzha is known as the "Venice of the East" for its network of trade-facilitating canals. Coir production in Alappuzha dates back to 1859, when James Darragh, an Irish-American entrepreneur, established India's first coir factory here. The area later gained geographical indication status for "Alleppey Coir" in 2007, though few outside the industry took origin story represents the unlikely revival of the sector. In 2019, after returning from Boston with an MBA, Sivan Santhosh and his artist wife Nimisha Srinivas established Neytt as a premium brand under the Extraweave umbrella. The startup has rapidly transformed into a ₹120-crore business and a global sensation, but its roots trace back more than a century through Sivan's family. Santhosh's great-grandfather, K Velayudhan, established the Travancore Mats and Matting Company in 1917, beginning a legacy that has supplied floor coverings to some of the world's most prestigious addresses, from Camp David to Saudi Arabian palaces, and global retailers like IKEA for over 70 years, quietly exporting Kerala craftsmanship while few took notice. ADVERTISEMENT "We have been in the business for more than a hundred years," Santhosh explains. "But we wanted to change the narrative." Reviving Traditional Craft ADVERTISEMENT "These traditional crafts declined partly because the jobs didn't pay well, but also because they lacked prestige," says Santhosh. "Young people want work that offers both better income and social recognition." Kannan KU, research and development manager at Neytt, is an example. A degree in computer science and an MBA were supposed to be his ticket away from the coir spinning his mother once did. Yet, on Wednesday, he was beaming with pride while installing a handcrafted rug at a Fort Kochi synagogue. Like most of his colleagues back at Neytt's factory, he watched in amazement as their creation became the most photographed surface in global fashion this week."My family and friends all asked-Is this really the company where you work?" Kannan recalls with a laugh. His college classmates, who are stuck at executive positions while he is donning a managerial role at Neytt, were stunned, asking, "Oh, you're working at such a big company?" The bonus: the factory is just five minutes away from his home. ADVERTISEMENT In 2022, when Neytt first supplied the Met Gala carpet, things were pretty quiet-"nobody knew such rugs were coming from Kerala," says Kannan. By 2023, Neytt announced their contribution on social media, and watched in astonishment as their posts received four million year, it has exploded into an even bigger social media phenomenon, with millions of views across Instagram and fashion platforms like Diet Sabya transforming an ancient craft into a viral sensation and putting Cherthala on the global design map. ADVERTISEMENT Suddenly, with the likes of Kerala industries minister P Rajeev congratulating them on social media, the 900 employees, who have decades of experience in traditional weaving techniques in the 15-acre factory with nearly half of them women, are no longer just anonymous craftspeople; they've become celebrities in their communities."We wouldn't have touched this success without the expertise of the skilled workers," says Santhosh. He explains the manufacturing process behind the Met Gala carpet, which borders on obsessive. It starts with importing sisal fiber from Madagascar-"that's where you get the best quality, the whitest and longest finer," Santhosh explains-then spending months hand-sorting, dyeing, spinning and weaving. Quality inspections occur at every stage, as "any defect in even a small quantity will show in streaks." The carpet must withstand "the pressure of a lot of celebrities' heels walking on it in various outfits," making durability as important as aesthetics.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From God's own country, a carpet for screen demigods
Neytt by Extraweave, from Cherthala, Kerala, crafted the Met Gala carpet for the third time. The company revives traditional weaving. Sivan Santhosh and Nimisha Srinivas established Neytt in 2019. It is now a ₹120-crore business. The company's roots trace back to 1917. Neytt employs 900 people, mostly women. The Met Gala carpet boosted the company's recognition. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of .) Kochi: On the wooden floors of centuries-old synagogues in Fort Kochi and beneath the feet of Shah Rukh Khan and Rihanna at this week's Met Gala lies an unlikely connection: carpets crafted in a small coastal town that most Indians probably wouldn't locate on a the third time in four years, Neytt by Extraweave , a sustainable rug company based out of Cherthala in Kerala's Alappuzha district, has supplied the sprawling wall-to-wall carpet for fashion's most photographed a time when many traditional crafts struggle to find their place in the modern economy, this Kerala-based company has pulled off the textile equivalent of landing on the moon. Their Made-in-Cherthala carpet, stretching across 63,000 square feet of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's entrance, has become the literal foundation for fashion's most exclusive night, a striking reversal for an industry struggling with rags-to-riches story is particularly startling in Cherthala, a town in Alappuzha district where its traditional weaving was once sought after globally but has now almost faded into obscurity. Alappuzha is known as the "Venice of the East" for its network of trade-facilitating canals. Coir production in Alappuzha dates back to 1859, when James Darragh, an Irish-American entrepreneur, established India's first coir factory here. The area later gained geographical indication status for "Alleppey Coir" in 2007, though few outside the industry took origin story represents the unlikely revival of the sector. In 2019, after returning from Boston with an MBA, Sivan Santhosh and his artist wife Nimisha Srinivas established Neytt as a premium brand under the Extraweave umbrella. The startup has rapidly transformed into a ₹120-crore business and a global sensation, but its roots trace back more than a century through Sivan's great-grandfather, K Velayudhan, established the Travancore Mats and Matting Company in 1917, beginning a legacy that has supplied floor coverings to some of the world's most prestigious addresses, from Camp David to Saudi Arabian palaces, and global retailers like IKEA for over 70 years, quietly exporting Kerala craftsmanship while few took notice."We have been in the business for more than a hundred years," Santhosh explains. "But we wanted to change the narrative.""These traditional crafts declined partly because the jobs didn't pay well, but also because they lacked prestige," says Santhosh. "Young people want work that offers both better income and social recognition." Kannan KU, research and development manager at Neytt, is an example. A degree in computer science and an MBA were supposed to be his ticket away from the coir spinning his mother once did. Yet, on Wednesday, he was beaming with pride while installing a handcrafted rug at a Fort Kochi synagogue. Like most of his colleagues back at Neytt's factory, he watched in amazement as their creation became the most photographed surface in global fashion this week."My family and friends all asked-Is this really the company where you work?" Kannan recalls with a laugh. His college classmates, who are stuck at executive positions while he is donning a managerial role at Neytt, were stunned, asking, "Oh, you're working at such a big company?" The bonus: the factory is just five minutes away from his 2022, when Neytt first supplied the Met Gala carpet, things were pretty quiet-"nobody knew such rugs were coming from Kerala," says Kannan. By 2023, Neytt announced their contribution on social media, and watched in astonishment as their posts received four million year, it has exploded into an even bigger social media phenomenon, with millions of views across Instagram and fashion platforms like Diet Sabya transforming an ancient craft into a viral sensation and putting Cherthala on the global design with the likes of Kerala industries minister P Rajeev congratulating them on social media, the 900 employees, who have decades of experience in traditional weaving techniques in the 15-acre factory with nearly half of them women, are no longer just anonymous craftspeople; they've become celebrities in their communities."We wouldn't have touched this success without the expertise of the skilled workers," says Santhosh. He explains the manufacturing process behind the Met Gala carpet, which borders on obsessive. It starts with importing sisal fiber from Madagascar-"that's where you get the best quality, the whitest and longest finer," Santhosh explains-then spending months hand-sorting, dyeing, spinning and inspections occur at every stage, as "any defect in even a small quantity will show in streaks." The carpet must withstand "the pressure of a lot of celebrities' heels walking on it in various outfits," making durability as important as aesthetics.
Emirates Woman
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates Woman
Met Gala 2025 : All you need to know about the iconic blue carpet
This year's Met Gala celebrated fashion, art, and culture against the backdrop of an extraordinary 63,000-square-foot blue carpet that became the unsung hero of the evening. For the third consecutive year, Kerala-based design house Neytt by Extraweave created this magnificent centerpiece, which perfectly complemented the Met's theme celebrating craftsmanship and Black fashion. Met Gala 2025: The best dressed Indian celebrities on the red carpet The royal blue carpet, stretching across the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art at the Met Gala 2025, was more than just visually stunning, it represented a triumph of sustainable design. Woven entirely from biodegradable sisal fibers ethically sourced from Madagascar, the carpet combined luxury with environmental consciousness. Floral barricades of golden daffodils lined its edges, while mirrored installations created a surreal floating garden effect, all resting on this masterpiece of Indian craftsmanship. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neytt (@ Neytt's involvement continues a remarkable legacy rooted in India's textile heritage. The brand is an extension of the century-old Travancore Mats and Matting Company, established in 1917. Founded by Sivan Santhosh and his wife Nimisha Srinivas, Neytt collaborates with international designers while staying true to its mission of celebrating and empowering local weavers. The carpet's design featured delicate golden daffodils, a motif conceived by artist Cy Gavin. Inspired by the Greek myth of Narcissus and themes of self-recognition, the floral pattern connected beautifully with this year's 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' exhibition. Gavin's original painting, 'Untitled (Sky),' transformed these flowers into celestial stars, a concept that set designers Derek McLane and Raúl Àvila adapted for the grand carpet. While Neytt provided the exquisite white base rug, a blank canvas for the Met Gala team's artistic vision, the final product became a symbol of global collaboration grounded in Indian tradition. As celebrities from Pharrell Williams to Savannah James ascended the museum steps, they walked on a carpet that blended Kerala's weaving heritage with contemporary design innovation. It's all in the details: How Indian stars fused cultural heritage with Met Gala spectacle The temporary nature of the installation, destined to be removed after the gala, only heightened its significance as a moment where sustainable practices, artistic vision, and cultural heritage converged on fashion's biggest night. For Neytt, this third collaboration with the Met Gala not only reinforces India's position in global craftsmanship but also showcases how traditional techniques can meet modern luxury in the most spectacular way. – For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Facebook and Instagram Images: Instagram
India.com
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Met Gala 2025: Iconic blue carpet was made by an Indian company, 480 artisans took 90 days to make it, founders are..., is located in...
Met Gala 2025 is a grand celebration of fashion that now is an elite fundraising event for the museum of arts. This year the gala event saw the legendary debut of Shah Rukh Khan, the first Bollywood male actor to ever walk the carpet. In addition to it, actress Kiara Advani, singer Diljit Dosanjh also made stylish and regal debuts at the event. The walk of fashion that every guest does before entering the venue is at the red carpet which is not so red any more. This year, the Met Gala carpet was blue and adorned with yellow flowers. For the unversed, for third time in a row when the Met Gala carpet was made by Indians. An eco-friendly sustainable weaving house located in Kerala, India is behind the grand charm. A homegrown brand Neytt, is behind the creation. Met Gala 2025 Carpet Made in India This year the Metropolitan Museum of Art reminded us of the SRK song ' Aaj zameen pe utre kitne sitare hain' , only because the King Khan himself walked the 63480 sqm carpet. This deep blue carpet was crafted by Neytt by Extraweave. Headquartered in Alappuzha, a coastal town often called the 'Venice of the East,' Neytt by Extraweave is helmed by Sivan Santhosh and Nimisha Srinivas. While the brand itself is a recent player in the global luxury design scene, its roots go back more than a century. In 1917, Santhosh's grandfather, K. Velayudhan, established Travancore Mats and Matting Company, laying the foundation for Kerala's carpet-making industry. Building on this legacy, Velayudhan Santhosh launched Extraweave Pvt. Ltd. in the early 2000s, which would go on to supply rugs and carpets to premium retailers across the globe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DietSabya® (@dietsabya) Neytt made its Met Gala debut in 2022 and quickly established itself as an integral part of the event's evolving visual storytelling. In 2023, the brand collaborated with legendary Japanese architect Tadao Ando to design a red carpet inspired by the late Karl Lagerfeld—a minimalist yet powerful tribute to the iconic fashion designer. That installation marked a turning point, placing Neytt firmly on the global design map.
