Press Release
- Rajasthan Heritage Week 2016
- Rajasthan Industries Minister and Principal Secretary, MSME also present
- Diggi Family opens the gala event
Jaipur, 01 December: The gala fashion show series of Rajasthan Heritage Week (RHW) began today at Hotel Diggi Palace in grandeur. The show was formally inaugurated by Rajasthan Industries Minister, Mr. Gajendra Singh Khimsar and Principal Secretary, MSME, Mr. Rajeeva Swarup.
Known for their patronage of art, literature and music, members of the Diggi family — Rudra Pratap Singh, Raghav Pratap Singh, Aparajit Singh, Gaurangini Singh and Katyayini Singh opened the show as hosts and patrons of Heritage Fashion and Handmade in Rajasthan.
Also present on the occasion were, India’s foremost textile expert, Mr. Martand Singh and Co-Chair, Sub Group in Tourism, Chief Minister Advisory Council, Ms. Malvika Singh.
The designers who presented their collection today were Swati Ubroi, Sonali Dharmawardena, Ajay Kumar, Sunaina Sood, Vidhi Singhania, Samant Chauhan, Himmat Singh, Tara Aslam, Raghu Rathore, Rohit Bal, Urvashi Kaur and Rajesh Pratap Singh. The stage was set themed around the Rajasthani ‘Bavdi wells’.
The Crafts Pavilion, designed by Jaipur based Product Designer Ayush Kasliwal saw a good turnout as the craftsmen showcased their best works on display and on sale.
It is to be recalled that the second edition of Rajasthan Heritage Week is jointly being organized by Khadi Board, Government of Rajasthan and Prasad Bidapa Associates at Hotel Diggi Palace. The five day fashionextravaganza is a unique endeavor to revive the traditional handmade traditional textiles and the beauty of Khadi.
About the Designers and their Collection:
Jaipur based Swati Ubroi opened the fashion shows with a Rajasthani wedding theme. With the traditional Ghumer Dancers performing on stage, followed by the Kalbeliya dancers and the Ger dancers, the wedding baraat entered the lawns and walked onto the stage, with the Rajasthani Bride and Groom dressed to perfection. The collection for RHW 2016 was inspired by the Topography of Rajasthan and the challenge of taking Rajasthan handloom into a very niche and luxury oriented market of Bridal and festive clothing. The AMER COLLECTION is an ode to Rajasthan, to the inherent attributes of this state, the culture, the music and last but not least the fabrics of rajasthan.
Sri Lankan Designer Sonali Dharmawardena’s collection, using a bundle of beautifully crafted Rajasthani fabrics, intersersed it with her signature Sri Lankan Batik art to create a collection that takes a tinge of boho spirit encapsulating a fusion of western influence a balance of the spirited woman who carves her fashion niche embracing the crafts of the world. Soft Cottons making a huge statement for occasion wear with its colourful bold statements.
Ajay Kumar from Bangalore, adopts a Rajputana Legacy – both retrospective and prospective approach to the heritage of Rajasthan; unfolding the multi-layered facade of this region and lending it a new face. Florals, paisleys and ornate intricacies with geometric and filigree patterns in Dabu and other hand block printed khadi and handloom fabrics are moulded through modern craftsmanship and quality; thus perfecting handmade work with modern tailoring techniques.
Designer Sunaina Sood from Hyderabad, worked with the intricate tie-dye technique so inherent to Rajasthan’s rich culture to weave magic in her silhouettes. Along with embellishment motifs used by the block printers of the state using embroidery techniques from her home state.
Vidhi Singhania from Jaipur – Classicism, which is the corner stone of Vidhi’s design sensibility, and her eternal love for Rajasthan, can be seen in her ethereal Kota Doria collection – Mharo des. Adding intricacy, technique and value to her Kotas with the stunning foil printing, Gota pattis, leheriyas, and the immaculate embroideries, all made in Rajasthan. Bringing back the pagdis, which was originally Doria woven on a sample loom at 18 yards. They are a couple of Kota and Khadi skirts as well in the collection.
Samant Chauhan showcased a grand collection with embroideries and ebellishments on Khadi of different weights.
Mr. Himmat Singh’s collection theme is based on western wear with a touch of Rajasthan, using the fabrics of this State.
Tara Aslam from Bangalore collaborates with textile designer Sanjay Chhipa for this collection that consists of the geometric printing technique of Bagru and presenting it in a modernist Bauhaus, rejuvenating design for everyday life. Her label Nature Alley captures the intricacies of the craft for the serious nomad!
Rohit Bal is Inspired by the grandeur of The Czarist Regime of Russia , this collection is deeply entrenched in the unmitigated philosophy of extreme luxury . This story sees an amalgamation of two distinct cultures and thought processes , that of Russian Grandeur and the almost austere craftsmanship of my absolute true love , Kashmir . Here, rich golds meet fine silk threads. Zardozi meets fine Kashmiri Kaani , crewel work and petit point and chain stitch . Velvet meets hand woven silks. Rich jewels meet autumn leaves , poppies and irises in guilded frames of lustrous luxury to create one beautiful form . From crystal to Chrysanthemum this story unfolds as it weaves its way through a magical journey of extravagance only to be drenched in the quiet caresses of the tonal colours of a Kashmiri Autumn.
Rajesh Pratap Singh’s signature off-white collection consists of thick weight Rajasthani Khadis
Urvashi Kaur takes inspiration from her travels to remote parts of India as a child. Starting with a palette that’s from the earth, with a dusty fawn that fades to a faint blush the designer adds balance with shades of darker indigoes and olives. Urvashi uses time worn, handwoven textiles like khadi, woollenkhadi, simple cottons and traditional Ajrakhs while kotadoriya coupled with the pale lustre of cotton silks reflect the transience of cultures and civilizations.
Raghu Rathore’s collection is inspired by the look and feel of Rajasthan heritage, textile and tradition with a twist of new age appeal. This contemporary look of each ensemble has an accent of textile and technique that is inspired from the region. The traditional lehariya and Bandhini motifs synonymous with Rajasthan are an integral part of the surface treatment and textile printing inspirations that exemplifies and shapes this collection. The techniques emulate the essence of Indian heritage. The silhouettes have a good balance between being flowy and structured and are apt for any formal evening occasion. They have been reinvented in treatment and shape to give a contemporary appeal.