Read on to know how Weaves of Banaras enthralled Make in India Week
In the best of what India makes, at the outset comes the awe-inspiring weaves of our culturally rich heritage where the queue starts with looms of Banaras. The Make in India Week, in Mumbai last week was witness to the splendid collection presented by Fashion Design Council of India in collaboration with Ministry of Commerce & Industry along with Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion.
The extraordinary collection of looms was presented by the 12 veteran designers of the industry, each a master craftsman in the trade; including, Rohit Bal, Abraham & Thakore, JJ Valaya Rajesh Pratap Singh, Namrata Joshipura, , Ashish Soni, , Anju Modi, Anita Dongre, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, Sabyasachi, Abhishek Gupta and Arjun Saluja showcased three garments each.
“We are proud of the fact that fashion today was seen as one of the industries in the Make in India context. It is of immense pleasure that FDCI’s designers have put our fraternity on the international scene. I am thankful to Mr Amitabh Kant, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, and Government of India for giving FDCI this opportunity to be a part of this mega initiative,” exuberated Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI.
The splendid collection from designers was not only an interpretation of the magnificence of Banaras presented with a contemporary vision of the enchanting crafts but also a stamp that confirms the richness of this artistically rich legacy of our country.
Amitabh Kant, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Government of India, while addressing the audience before the show talked about how appreciative he was of FDCI’s initiative in putting up a grand show.
He also highlighted how the initiative would help promote the rich heritage and the artisans of Banaras, who have strived to take forward their legacy. He said that the show puts the focus back on the weavers and helps them in promoting this sustainable art, thereby bringing it back to mainstream fashion.
The grand show, in all its glory, was enlivened by the aura created by a luxuriously decorated stage comprising of mogra and marigold flowers which are an indigenous part of any grand celebration across the nation. The marvel of the show was the creations that added an irresistible flavour to the captivating charm of the alluring inspirations of Banaras as the beautiful creations blended charmingly with the installations in white and gold.
Models dressed as beautiful brides sashayed down the ramp in brocade lehengas, in white, gold and black, with embroidered and embellished minaudières in one hand, by Sabyasachi and in his classic style maverick Rajesh Pratap Singh gave traditional brocade a fresh hue with his coats, in tones of ivory, intermingled with the luminosity of hand-crafted textiles. Each piece by designers was carefully selected to justify the concept and prove their mettle in the craft.
Founded on the core belief of promoting, encouraging and nurturing the best of fashion and design talent in the country, with an aim to promulgate the business of fashion, the Fashion Design council stays true to its commitment to promote the ‘Make in India’ label as handlooms take centre stage, considering the country that India is where our heritage is immersed in all kinds of indigenous crafts.
