Looming Horizons

By Sharmi Adhikary

The glamorous Ivanka Trump conquered the hearts of many at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, but it is India’s handlooms that conquered her heart. She must have been delighted with the Pochampally saris made by weavers in Yadadri Bhongir, Telangana.

The Pochampally’s singularity lies in its ikat design known as patola or chikti, where patterns and colours are delicately imprinted on the warps and wefts after the sari itself is woven.

Ivanka has reportedly flown back with a boxful of handloom saris, which she is expected to wear at the White House some time, which include Bathukammas woven by Sircilla powerloom weavers and a Gollabhama sari distinguished by its  special inlay figure work and motifs. The Gollabhama has even received the Intellectual Property Rights protection.

There are around nine crore weavers and artisans in the country. In a context where tradition and contemporaneity meet on the handloom scene, bespoke weavers are spinning a fascinating story, working with indigenous textile artistes to revive and create magnificent fabrics, lavish saris and chic separates as the world celebrates textile-oriented creations as a return to sustainable fashion.

Swati & Sunaina, Ekaya and Vidhi Singhania infuse extravagance into the world of saris. Haute creations of Abraham & Thakore, Madhu Jain and Shades of India are minimalist and edgy. The Silk Tree and Bageecha are attracting the young and restless with weaves that give them a peppy makeover. With Indian handlooms becoming influencing fashion choices, native textiles craft the future with journeys into the past. Read More  ➡