Indian weaves to get a new avatar from designers

Indian designers working to give the country’s weaves a new context and a new avatar which will help to go a long way to help the craft in reaching out to a whole new audience. This will change the perception of Indian textiles, said Payal Khandwala, who is known for her handwoven silk, khadi, cotton and linen.

Khandwala on the sidelines of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2016 where she showcased her bridal line in association with Lakme Salon said that this, in turn, will support artisans that survive in dismal living conditions and have very poor wages.

Khandwala also feels that the government’s initiatives to promote Benarasi weaves will give new hope to artisans. This will definitely put the weavers from this particular cluster on the map.

Khandwala launched her eponymous label in 2012. She is known for orchestrating colour and textures to create layered separates that are dramatic yet minimal, with subtle attention to detail. She designs for intelligent, non-conformist women.

Her background in fine arts and fashion coupled with her cultural influences, growing up in Mumbai, schooling in New York and Barcelona, give her a unique perspective.

For her showcase at LFW, Khandwala used textiles woven meticulously with gold threads.

Several of the key textiles are in fact, handwoven in Benaras and the designs developed with weavers are a part of the Make In India initiative. Woven meticulously with gold thread to illuminate a deep palette of signature jewel colours, these textiles are reminiscent of vintage heirlooms.

They also continue their association with their weavers in West Bengal for the development in silk.

For this season, she also introduced hand embroidery, while ensuring that it remains minimal and lightweight. The clothes are practical, uncluttered and fuss free.

She also highlighted the idea of the strong yet gentle non-conformist bride with the help of Lakme Salon.