In a race to make their mark in the global market, Indian designers at times ignore the powerful legacy of hand crafted textile the country has.
However, now some prominent names from the fashion industry have taken the responsibility to promote the craftsmanship.
Delhi-based designer Rajesh Pratap Singh, Pero by Aneeth Arora, Anupama Bose from Jaipur, Hemang Agarwal and Asif Shaikh used the platform of Lakme Fashion Week, to give these artisans the much needed respect and recognition, by collaborating with them for a show titled "Walking Hand in Hand".
Organized by the Craft+Design+Society (CDS), lead by Ahemdabad based Shaikh, the effort was aimed at creating awareness about the versatility of our textile crafts.
Having worked on reinventing textiles and embroidery for more than 22 years, the 47-year-old Shaikh says designers use the craft, but do not share the credit with artisans.
"The motto is to give the artisans their due for the hours of work and labour they put in to create the final garment. The aim is to encourage them for preserving the priceless art they have inherited. By giving them a global platform we also aim at making the younger generation understand the worth of this legacy," Shaikh told PTI.
The collection showcased at LFW had Aneeth collaborating with Jakir Hussain Mondal, Anupama joining hands with Jislumdubbin Neelgar, Hemang with Sharfuddin Ansari, Rajesh Pratap with Haseem Muhammad and Shaikh with award winning artisan Abdul Jabbar Khatri.
"I have worked all my career with various artisans. Coming together for this movement is a pleasure. It is high time for us to give the credit to our artisans, who are always behind the curtains. I hope we will be able to do some good through this moment started by Asif bhai," Rajesh Pratap said.
Anupama, who is the only designer to work exclusively with 'lehriya' pattern of Rajasthan, said the younger generation lacks the patience required to work with artisans. They also don't understand the global appeal of this art.
"Learning to work with the craftsman is like a 'tapasya'. You can't work in the craftsman domain and ask them to create things according to your will. One needs to understand the shortcomings, the pros and cons of the art, but unfortunately most in young generation don't have the patience.
"Unfortunately, fashion has become synonymous with little dresses and wedge heels which is not true. I feel as textile designer there is a huge market for Indian craftsmanship," Anupama told PTI.
The designers hope to attract corporate houses in providing space to the craftsmen in both local and international market.
