Anagha Dandekar

Anagha Dandekar: Hardware Renaissance & Splendid Simplicity

Anagha Dandekar (scion of the Camlin group), is the founder and creative director of  Hardware Renaissance, an international luxury door fittings brand that has been redefining the way people perceive door accessories globally since 2002, and it has launched in India recently.

Hardware Renaissance was co-founded in 2002 in Santa Fe, New Mexico as Anagha wanted to create a more hand-crafted line infused with unique designs.The original line of hand-forged iron is completely handmade by master blacksmiths and there is no other hardware manufacturer offering the depth of designs, functions and patinas , precision engineering providing seamless integration with all modern lock systems.

Crafting masterpieces for customers (including a list of celebrity clientele: Robert Redford, Dixie Chicks, Vidya Balan, Kunal Kapur etc), Hardware Renaissance’s pieces are reminiscent of  beautiful hand-forged iron and sand cast solid bronze hardware for commercial and residential projects worldwide. Her designs are now available in over 80 showrooms in the US, Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and India. 

An interesting tete-a-tete with  Anagha:

Your journey from the world of stationery to luxury door fittings. What got you interested in this area?

I always knew that I would be in business, because growing up in the Camlin family with both parents heading the company, we lived and breathed business.  I didn’t know I would be in door hardware, though.  I had come to the USA to get an MBA and was planning to go back and work in Camlin.  But I decided to stay on here instead.  Getting started in luxury door hardware was through a chance meeting with someone who I co-founded the company with, as the idea of creating something new intrigued me.  So you never know when life will present you with a new opportunity or direction!

Tell us about your most challenging projects…..

Since we make so much custom or bespoke hardware, we have done many challenging projects.  I am proud of my technical and production team for their inventiveness and dedication to making difficult products to please our most demanding customers.  We did an estate last year in the southern US with over 70 doors, and each piece was customized, and also had the owner’s logo on the hardware.  We are doing a large villa in Hyderabad by customizing our unique Art Nouveau series for a special type of door and lock.  We did a Silicon Valley billionaire’s home of over 100 doors with customized handles that did not even have backplates – so it needed all new engineering!  I am sure the next challenging project is just around the corner, and me and my team thrive on it.  We are not creating mass produced hardware, and it is extremely gratifying to give a customer exactly what they want, something totally unique for them. There are very few hardware companies in the world that can do that.

What has the response in India been and what is the perception  with regard to luxury hardware?

The response in India has been very positive, and I am pleased with the inroads we have made so far, but we have a long way to go.  We have done work with many of India’s top architects and designers in a few cities. The challenge is to widen the distribution in a market which is not as organized in high- end hardware compared to the USA. The Indian customer is not as aware of what luxury hardware really means, and why it is worth the expense.  This is because most of the hardware available in India so far is imported from China and is mass produced and of a lesser quality.

However, the Indian customer is getting more aware and sophisticated in their choices and their expectations as they get greater exposure to products from all over the world.  In the few years that we have entered the Indian market, we can see this evolution.  They are willing to spend more money if they are convinced about the uniqueness and value of the product.  Also an appreciation for hand -crafted and bespoke products is returning, which is a push- back against mass production.  That is where we fit in beautifully.

Tell us something about your current projects in the hospitality sector

We are working on some exciting projects in the hospitality sector all over the world.  A high- end boutique hotel in Israel is currently in its final stages.  We have some exclusive India projects in the design phase, as well as hotels in the US.

Do you design the hardware yourself?

Yes, most of the designs are my creations – some of the older ones were by the co-founder (who passed away unfortunately). The process of design and creation is what inspires and rejuvenates me, and I find inspiration in nature, art and architecture.

In a male dominated industry, being the only woman-owned manufacturer must be a huge challenge? How do you handle that?

It certainly is a challenge, but I was brought up to believe I could do anything regardless of my gender.  So it does not bother me, rather I thrive on destroying stereotypes in people’s minds.  I am particular to be as knowledgeable about the technical side of hardware as the design side, so I can handle any situation with a customer.  I can recall some interesting meetings where upon being introduced as the owner of Hardware Renaissance, men have not-so-subtly tried to probe my technical knowledge, to see if I really know my products, or whether I am just “the face” of the company!

 It also means it is a time- consuming business-- managing a business, home and family-?

Being a working woman is all about finding balance – and it is a constant challenge.   My family takes first priority, but my work is also important to me.  My husband is a big part of making it all work, and I make it a point to be well organized and plan ahead.  I’d like to be a good role model for my  daughter, and I now realize that does not mean showing that I can do everything. It means having the confidence to make the right choices which are better for me and my family.  And not doing things to get approbation from the public, but because it is important to me. 

  

Do you find  time to pursue your childhood interests  --singing & classical dance?

I am happy to say that I revived my Bharatanatyam dancing after a hiatus of almost 20 years, so that I could hopefully inspire my daughter.  It is such a joy to share the dance stage with her. I don’t get a lot of time to do it, however.  As for the singing, it is mostly restricted to the shower nowadays!

What are your other interests?

I love to travel, read, cook, listen to music - and go on long walks with my family in the beautiful nature that surrounds us where I live.