Press Release
- ‘Jaipur Designers Festival’ sessions at ‘Vastra 2017’
- Experts talk about Rajasthani, North-Eastern techniques as resources to reinvent fashion
Renowned designers and experts stressed on the need to use indigenous materials and techniques to create ecologically-sustainable fashion at the ‘Jaipur Designers Festival’ on the third day of ‘Vastra 2017’ – International Textile and Apparel Fair on Saturday.
‘Vastra 2017’ was jointly organized by Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Ltd. (RIICO) and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The event was also supported by the Government of Rajasthan.
Fashion guru, Mr Prasad Bidapa, designers Mr Hemant Trevedi and Jaipur’s Ms Puja Arya and Mr Rohit Kamra discussed ‘Redefining Khadi for the Luxury Market’ in the first session. A team from National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad spoke about ‘Textile Traditions for North East: Challenges and Opportunities’ in the second session.
In her keynote address, former union Textiles Secretary and ITPO Chairperson, Ms Rita Menon said, “Rajasthan is the focal point in India for most of art and crafts. The ‘Jaipur Designers Festival’ makes sense, since from here we can take back what more can be done with the state’s arts and crafts.”
Bidapa pitched for the use of the variety of fabrics from Rajasthan, something that is the central to the idea of Rajasthan Heritage Week (RHW) as well. “Instead of using imported brands that use artificial fabrics like polyester, designers should make use of fabrics like Kota Doria,” he added. Arya added, “We are constantly buying and constantly junking, using the limited resources of our planet. We should use fabrics like Khadi, which symbolized the Swadeshi movement. It is the fabric of freedom, patience and equality.”
Trevedi said that students should draw from Rajasthan, which is the most inspiring state for a designer. Kamra spoke about his association with Khadi and how awareness about it is going up. “We don’t need to go anywhere to reinvent Khadi. RHW is at the point where international designers want to be part of the Khadi project,” Kamra said.
Presenting case studies from Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh, the NID team showcased how the natives use ethno-botanical knowledge to create sustainable designs. “Like them, we must preserve and respect our culture and engage the mind and body to feel one with what our creation,” dean Ms Krishna Patel said, sharing the state with NID faculty members Swasti Singh Ghai and V Shaktivel.
Earlier, at the state of the session, RICCO, MD, Ms Mugdha Sinha welcomed the participants.