Designers make most of Handloom Day to revive traditional weave
dubai — Remember to wear India on your sleeve today. August 7th is now the official day when India celebrates its handlooms.
Today marks the third National Handloom Day, a government initiative that is backed by the Textiles Ministry and is seen as part of part of the prime minster’s larger ‘Make in India’ push.
Previously on this day, the prime minster attended the official function. Last year it was held in Varanasi and the first Handloom Day was celebrated in Chennai. This time it is being held in Guhawati, and though the PM himself is not expected to attend, the Textile Minister, Smirti Irani, will be there.
Just a few days ago Irani headed a ‘Design Chaupal’ in anticipation of National Handloom Day in New Delhi at The Crafts Museum.
In attendance was the Fashion Design Counil of India’s (FDCI) president Sunil Sethi and designers such as Rajesh Pratap Singh, Raw Mango’s Sanjay Garg and Anavila Mishra. And today on Handloom Day more details should be announced on a MOU between the ministry and designers, whereby each designer will work with a handloom cluster and produce a collection of 12 garments within the next year.
The idea to celebrate the wide range of crafts that India has to offer. “Over 35 designers from the FDCI will be part of this pioneering collaboration. I think since Handloom Day has started, the relationship between government and the fashion industry has become closer; a clear positive for both the Indian fashion and weavers in India,” says FDCI’s Sethi.
Such programmes give designers easier access to craftspeople.
One of the designers who has really bought handlooms to the forefront of fashion is Raw Mango’s Sanjay Garg.
Raw Mango is a brand of contemporary Indian hand-woven textiles crafted using traditional techniques. The label employs over 450 craftspeople, and his label has been worn by Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kangana Ranaut.
He feels as Handloom Day enters its third year, there is now a balance happening within the fashion industry. “I think two years ago around the time of the first Handloom Day, weaves became a heard mentality. Every designer wanted to use weaves and did not think about whether handlooms worked with their aesthetic.”
Which is one the reasons this season, his fashion label that is about stitched garments which he designs under his own name, Sanjay Garg, is looking at Chikankari, an embroidery form that dates back to the Mughal Empire which Lucknow is famous for.
“We have so many crafts... its not just weaves, there is embroidery too. It’s about celebrating artisans,” says the designer. “Having said that I think Handloom Day is an interesting idea and we should have a pride in remembering our crafts and promote sustainable fashion.”