About the Show
A Thousand Flowers Bloom…
A thousand flowers bloom in heady designer profusion on Benarasi, Kota, Chanderi, organza and mulmul saris, salwar kurta suits, dupattas and Indo-Western ensembles at The Crafts Council of India’s (CCI) 36th Edition of “Textile & Accessories” Show making stunning floral fashion statements. Revived antique Benarasi saris bring ancient beauty in line with modern sensibilities for perfect festive wear. And catching the joyful festive spirit are mulmul, jamdani and West Bengal’s cotton saris with imprints of hand block art, embroideries, ‘gota ka kaam’, zardozi, zari work and more. Catch the music of tribal ‘Miri’ motifs on handwoven cotton saris from Assam, the whisper of lace on chiffon in jewel colours and much more at the ‘Textile Show’ where each sari is an ode to weaver-artisan-designer magic, a story told in a flow of colour and creativity.
Leading designers alongwith exciting young entrants in the field have contributed to the dazzling saris, fabric and ensembles fest at the ‘Textile Show’.
Abha Dalmia’s revival of the eternal Benarasi sari comes in innovative layered borders and antique motifs. Anuradha Kuli brings in the flavours of tribal Assam. Naina Jain’s saris with tie and dye and embroidery, Nilambari’s fields of exquisite floral motif saris and Juanita’s soft fashion Indo-Western and Salwar suits ensembles bring a wide range of diverse fashion elements and craftsmanship to festive wear. Jyoti Dhawan’s Andaaz has the salwar sets and dupattas with zari and zardozi work.
Torani presents Chanderi, organza and silk embellished garments for men, women and children. Roha offers floral themes in hand embroidered pastels while Aziz Ansari’s Maheshwari saris, dress material, fabric and dupattas say it with flowers. Adding to it all, is the Kara collection of soft slow fashion and kurtas and tunics presented by Mulberry Blue. Exquisite new craft flavours are brought to Chennai by Vivek Narang with Kantha throws from Sindh, Pakistan, along with a vintage Benarasi sari collection.
Look out for Meera Basu’s Dhanekali and Tanghail in tussar, kora and silk muslin. Mura Collective brings sensational Shibori saris in soft pinks and trademark blue and Studio Medium’s apparels use traditional handwoven and resist dyeing techniques using only natural dyes. And to dress every occasion ‘Textile Show’ has on display jewellery by ‘Moksh’, every piece epitomising stylish design and priceless craftsmanship.
The Textile and Accessories Show will be on at Mayor Ramanathan Chettiar Centre (MRC Centre), No. 75/2, Santhome High Road, MRC Nagar, R.A.Puram, Chennai – 600028 on 30th September & 1st October, 2021. Open from 10 am till 7.30 pm.
ABHA DALMIA: This iconic designer from Delhi brings ancient, antique Benarasi saris back to life. Her sensational ‘revival’ Benarasis in muted beige, turmeric and off white with broad jaali work borders are collector’s items. “I was the first woman to fuse antique ethos with modern substitutes” says Dalmia who brought back the ‘Black Benaras’ look. She works in silk, raw silk, organza, georgette and chiffon saris.
ANDAAZ: Andaaz by Jyoti Dhawan from Delhi brings exquisitely understated zardosi and zari embellished silk salwar kurta sets tailored to perfection, in fuchsia, red, orange and more.
AZIZ ANSARI: Anas Ansari presents handweaves in striking Maheshwari saris, dress material, fabric and dupattas in all colours.
JUANITA: Shubdha Priyam from Delhi’s ‘Elan’ festive collection is about handcrafted, organic and handwoven Indo-Western outfits, saris, salwar suits worked with touches of zardosi, zari embroidery, dabka and eiti done on Chanderi cotton, tissue, etc. A sustainable fashion statement of minimalism.
KARA: Artisan and Designer Khatri Abdul Rahim Anwar brings a wealth of stunning Ajrakh saris and running fabric made entirely from vegetable dyes extracted from indigo, pomegranate seeds, harda from filings, etc.
MEERA BASU: Meera Basu’s Dhanekali and Tanghail saris in tussar, kora and muslin silk have a regional global flavour. Fashion’s favourite, each Meera Basu’s creation is the essence of elegance and beauty.
MOKSH: Bhavik Moksh’s ‘Moksh’ creates jewellery of spectacular beauty in designs which are impeccably crafted and spell grace and style. Moksh Jewellery products have admirers and clients both in large numbers at home and overseas fashioned out of rubies, diamonds and peerless pearls, each product is forever.
MURA COLLECTIVE: Delhi’s Kusum Tiwari and Prabha Gahtori have made the Mura Collective textiles an iconic fashion statement of Japanese Shibori. Flawless Shibori craftsmanship, dream-inducing patterning and saris in soft pink, mauve and Mura Collective’s signature blue make for the perfect festive wear.
NAINA JAIN: Designer Naina Jain’s forte is fine hand done Bandhinis from Kutch, done with a twist and teamed with embroidery to create a line of exclusive organza, Chanderi, silk and georgette saris, kurtas, dupattas. Patchwork appliqué, gota/patti, zardosi and chikankari are used by the designer to fashion that festive look in her saris and ensembles.
NATURALLY ANURADHA: Natural dyed saris featuring tribal ‘Miri’ motifs are the focus of Anuradha Kuli’s pure silk and cotton silk blouses, dupattas and sensational saris, intricately woven turmeric yellow, pink, magenta and red saris with dramatic woven borders are the piece d’ resistance of her dramatic collection.
NILAMBARI: It is flowers all the way in border, pallu and body combined with the classicism of the eternal Benarasi sari. Dazzling tissue, silk and linen saris filled with the enchantment of woven chrysanthemums, roses and more captivate in oranges, reds, greens, blues, pinks and black.
ROHA: Eye catching florals and embroidery in pastels set the fashion tone of Roha. Designer Vibhuti Behl’s outfits and saris have overtones of delicacy. They are also organic and eco-sensitive. All embroideries are made by hand.
STUDIO MEDIUM: Riddhi Jain of Studio Medium presents saris, kurtas, dresses and kaftans designed by her, featuring Bandhini from Kutch and Shibori, which is her speciality. The kaftans and dresses are loose and flowing.
TORANI: Torani spells out high fashion beautiful lace-like embroidery work in matching sari blouse combinations and lehengas in red, maroon, pink, blue, etc. Embroidery embellishment is done on Chanderi, organza and silk. Garments are made for men, women and kids. And for that matchless ‘matching’ look, there are masks, chains and ‘jutties, all in jewel colours.
VIVEK NARANG: Designer Vivek Narang brings rare Kantha throws from Sindh, Pakistan. Also eye catching cushion covers and handbags made with nuanced craft work by artisans during the pandemic. The piece d’ resistance of his collection are vintage Benarasi saris epitomising the mellow dazzle and outstanding craftsmanship of yesterdays’ master weavers.
