Scarlette Ateliers was born at B2/139, Safdarjung Enclave New Delhi, India, behind the white facade of the bougainvillea-covered roof of a bay window on a terrazzo, near an avalanche of cushions under a veranda, in the smell of chocolate cake from Basanti, between two conversations with an adventurer from the Mughal forts and an explorer from the fabric market of Nehru Place.