Designer dreams get a handsome makeover
Designer dreams get a handsome makeover
There’s mo
re to fashion than glamorous models sashaying down the ramp in exotic clothes. It’s also about a dedicated lot of designers who prefer to focus their creativity in a particular direction, rather than have a finger in every pie, or fabric for that matter! These are designers who specialise in a particular fabric, making exclusive ensembles that are much sought after by the fashion conscious janta.
But why the need to specialise in a particular product? Designer Bela Shanghvi, president, Crafts’ Council of Maharashtra, who specialises in the double ikat work, especially the patola weave of Patan, and whose work has been showcased alongside Arthur Millers’ seems to have an answer: “I belong to Gujarat and Patan and this was something which came to me very naturally and easily. Patola was getting lost in a market dominated by synthetic cloth.” The double weave Shanghvi uses makes it it easy to wear a fabric from both sides. Remaining true to this form of art, Bela’s efforts have borne fruit and the craft has gained considerable popularity.
Another designer who likes to work with hand-woven fabrics is Pria Kataria Puri, whose areas of specialisation include embroidery and colour on hand-woven fabric. Talking about her fixation for handmade fabric Pria says, “I feel it is my moral obligation to keep this ancient tradition of craftsmanship alive.” Pria’s clothes stand out like a riot of colours with embroidery in mirror work, shells and beads. Speaking about her craft she says, “I like to keep my clothes contemporary as well as ethnic in feel and look and they can be worn without much fuss.” The fact that Puri has been bestowed with various awards including the Bharat Yuva Ratna Award and the Bharat Vikas Award shouldn’t really come as a surprise.
On the other hand is designer Neeru Kumar who has made khadi her fortè, transforming basic khadi and cotton into chic outfits catering to the couture needs of such celebrities as Sonia Gandhi, Rekha and Shabana Azmi. Her clothes have her unmistakable stamp of natural colours with kantha work, applique and embroidery. “I feel that handmade cloth gives a warmer and personal touch to a fabric. A lot of thought goes into making each and every piece,” says Kumar with enthusiasm.
Lucknow-based designer Asma Hussain’s area of specialisation includes jamdanis. Jamdani is a very ancient form of silk weaving which takes a lot of time to make, and was thus dying a slow death. The designer who has helped revive the art of weaving jamdani saris and made it easier to manufacture says, “It was very expensive and not at all affordable for the common man. A metre of jamdani could cost upto Rs one lakh, but with the introduction of new methods and techniques, the cost has been considerably lowered.” Her latest efforts are aimed at making pashmina popular too.
Guess that’s called having designs on you!
Add comment February 10th, 2007