For Spring Summer 2025, we sent a little bag of Sphere One sweaters to some far flung lands, to join intrepid traveller, Ruth Higginbotham, who also directed Sphere One's AW24 shoot. We invited Ruth to take some pieces with her on her travels around India, knowing that the vibrant colours of Sphere One's summer collection would lend themselves so well to this incredible place. Ruth has been photographing the pieces as she traverses the country by train and bus, sending us voice notes and videos, documenting her journey as she goes.

We could make a full length documentary about the amount of paperwork involved to get this small bag through Indian customs, but dogged persistence won through and lots of friendly locals along the way who generously took up the cause for us (including a local Indian boxer with the strongest Crumlin Irish accent).

After finally picking up the sweaters in Bangalore, Ruth took the train to Mysore, a two and a half hour journey. This ancient city has a wonderful festival with flamboyant chariot pulled through the streets, lots of flower markets and natural dyes. Later in the year they cover entire buildings with intricate flower patterns.

Colourful chariots being pulled through the streets of Mysore, March 2025 (Photo: Ruth Higginbotham)

"An abundance of tiny blue petals glow outside the beautiful Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore; an opulent edifice, housing vast oil paintings of the Maharaja. Such a pleasant relief from the soaring temperature outside, Jayachaerjandra Gallery has the most expansive and calming feeling upon entering. An absolute abundance of art work in oils and watercolour, depicting a detailed history of the Raj, sprinkled with quite a strong European presence - a real reminder of it's colourful and challenging history."

Sphere One Ladybird Anchor Cardigan photographed on  Plumbago blue flower plant at the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore, March 2025 (Photo: Ruth Higginbotham)

" So many entrances with dusty hues of pink, blue, yellow and green. The little plaque on the door displays the resident's surname, and are often made of brass, wood or acrylic. Often decorated with flowers as they hold a deep significance within Hindu culture. Every house has a drawing in white chalk which the girls create every morning, this is a solely female job and acts as sacred welcome mats - called RANGOLI"

Sphere One Helter Cardigan photographed on a door in Mysore, March 2025 (Photo: Ruth Higginbotham)

More to follow!

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