Indian Tradition Adorned by The World

The Indian ethnic wear has become a new fashion statement by contemporizing the traditional attire. Indian traditional wear has become a rage not only for women in India but in worldwide. The French fasion brand Chanel recently launched its Sari-Sque gown collection inspired by Indian sarees.

Some of the recent examples of few international female celebrities can be seen below who have been seen in sare of late. From Begum Inaara Aga Khan (the 2^nd wife of Aga Kha IV) to Hollywood celebrities like: Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham, Paris Hilton, Anne Hathway, Blake Lively and more have carried off Indian Saree very well.

                

                            

Another traditional wear for women comes as Salwar Kameez. Not to forget the pretty look of Late Princess Diana where she had worn a lovely off-white salwar kameez at an event in India. Recently the hollywood actors Uma Thurman and Debra Messing were seen in salwar kameez in NYC for their TV series Smash. Similarly Catherine Rusoff was seen in a salwar kameez with heavy embroidered panels, dupatta and traditional jewelry at the red carpet.

Its not just the women who are adopting Indian attire but men also don them very well. Recently an American stand-up comedian Jay Leno donned a sherwani suit. Another such example can be seen where the hollywood blogger Perez Hilton wore a sherwani for his birthday.

Lot of credit for this much demanded Indian fashion goes to our Indian designers who have been experimenting and showcasing Indian craft and tradition along with exotic embellishments & uniqueness.

References:

http://drsanjaykumarheartsurgeon.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/world-celebrities-in-indian-attire-india/

http://idiva.com/photogallery-style-beauty/smokin-hot-international-celebrities-in-saris/9040/10

http://indiankurtinj.com/

http://page3-reporter.blogspot.in/2012/03/perez-hilton-indian-sherwani-birthday.html

Designers Playing a Desi Role with Weavers of India

Among many fashion designers in India there are some designers who come forward to preserve the “Swadeshi” tag. These are the designers who have played a major role in revival of Indian textile and weaving. From Chikankari to kalamkari, kantha, ikat and other traditional crafts, these designers have made it happen. They have not only promoted Indian crafts but have also given a new hope to the extincted tradition to survive in this world for a longer time.

We sbring together such designers who can come under our “Swadeshi” tag.

Madhu Jain

A New Delhi based designer Madhu Jain is there in fashion industry since last 25 years. Apparently she has seen the development of fashion in India throughout these years. Madhu's work is famous for the revival of kalamkari, kantha, ikat, dhaka muslin and crafts restoration like: Madhubani of Bihar and nakshikantha of Bangladesh. Working closely with rural artisans and sourcing her fabrics from them, Madhu has always tried to promote craft based clothes while representing Indian culture. Madhu is responsible for Maneka Gandhi's current look and besides this she has dressed up lot of other celebrities too.

Courtsey: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/designers/Madhu-Jain-the-swadesi-designer/articleshow/12731317.cms

Poonam Bajaj

Another Delhi based designer, Poonam Bajaj has a great passion for design and takes great pride in her varied style and unique functional design that rises above being merely fashionable. Her vision encompasses all the borders of India. She is constantly inspired by the creative possibilities of embellishments and fusion. Her designs are simple yet classy with perfect blend of traditional textiles and embroideries adapted to western silhouettes. Poonam closely work with the weavers and craftsman. Her summer range in chikankari is to die for. Poonam has beautifully merged chikankari fabric with other materials to give the ensemble a more contemporary look.

Courtsey: http://www.thecitrine.com/

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/now,-change-into-cotton/2/101114.html

Deepika Govind

Deepika Govind is another such designer in our list who is doing amazing work by designing outfits using “Desi” fabrics. Deepika specialize in Kanjeevaram, Ikkat and South Indian checks. She also sources her fabrics from small villages of India that houses some of the talented weavers and handlooms. Deepika showcases plenty of her collection during Will India Fashion Week which includes hand-woven fabrics and intricate designs on Indian garments.

Courtsey: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/designers/Designers-dont-take-advantage-of-weavers/articleshow/12849755.cms

There are more such designers who deserve to tag themselve as “Swadeshi”. If you want to get them added under this list kindly write to us along with a short bio of the designer at: crafusion@gmail.com

Varanasi Weavers – Revival of Varanasi Art of Weaving

Varanasi Silk Gold Wrap Saree

Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi is one of the most religious city of India. It is famous for its rich heritrage and art of weaving on handlooms and carpets. Varanasi houses various small cottage industries that produce handloom silk sarees that are commonly referred to as 'Banarsi Silk' sarees. As per the data fetched on 2009 Varanasi has estimated 300,000 weavers.


The intricate weaves of handloom silk sarees are something that any Indian woman would love to wear.  Over time the cheap imitations of silk sarees impacted the market and so Banarsi Silk being an expensive piece due to its fine work and quality reduced its demand in India. As a result most of the looms have shut down and most of these weavers lost their work or moved somewhere else.


This crisis situation of weavers caught attention of Upasana, which is a design firm in Auroville. Then Upasana along with a partnetship of non-profit organization of Denmark Bestsellers, launched a project called Varanasi Weavers in 2006. The mission of Varanasi Weavers was the revival of silk and hand-weaving techniques of Varanasi. Their aim was to make it a profitable business again and to provide weavers an economic stability.

Art of Weaving

In 2008 Varanasi weavers became a company who works as an interface between buyers and weavers. In near future this company will work as a social company run by the weavers themselves. This way Varanasi Weavers empowered weavers and utilized their skills. They presented traditional weaving of Varanasi into a whole new form and also generated awareness about the same by using the best possible marketing resources. This also helped weavers to keep in tune with current times.


Thereafter weavers started getting orders directly from the designers and other groups. Now they earn sufficient income to fullfill their and their family needs. On the other side the traditional techniques have been coupled with contemporary trends in the right proportion resulting in the rise of interest in Varanasi textiles.


Helpful Resources:
http://indiagovernance.gov.in/bestpractices.php?id=882
http://indiagovernance.gov.in/download.php?filename=files/VaranasiWeavers_BP.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanasi