Follow the City's very own silk route!

The Vanya Silk Expo 2014, an initiative of the Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, has commenced in Delhi amidst much fanfare.

The Expo, designed to present the diversified silk products developed by research institutes of Central Silk Board (CSB), was formally inaugurated by Dr Kavuru Sambasiva Rao, Union Minister of Textiles, and is now open to the public till January 20. The inaugural event was also followed by an ensemble fashion show ‘Silken Splendour – 2014’ that showcased a wide variety of the new product range being promoted by the board.

K Sukumar Menon, CEO, Silk Mark Organisation of India, said, “Indian silk is widely patronised in the countries of European Union, USA, Middle East and Japan. The Indian silk has created a niche market worldwide and is extremely famous for its beauty and elegance. The Silk Mark Expo showcases a wide variety of silk products providing Delhi residents a good reason to go on a shopping spree. It is an extremely exciting opportunity for both the end consumers and the fashion and textiles trade professionals to assess the quality of Indian silk that makes it a premium product, much in demand around the world.”

In the past few years, CSB has developed various silk products in collaboration with institutes like NIFT and Army Institute of Fashion and Design. Eri silk, which is used primarily in Assam by tribals to produce chadders and mekhla, has now been converted into high-end men’s wear like eri knitted garments, eri denims and eri blends. Similarly Muga silk, which is used to produce sarees in the Northeast, has now been converted into muga bridal wear and muga dress material. Tussar silk, produced in Central India, has been converted into products with rich designs for women. All these are on show at the expo.

The gorgeous designs and weaving techniques from different parts of India are also on display. Visitors can choose from elaborate Banarasi brocades, Paithani designs from Yeola and Paithan, Tie and Dye from Pochampally and Sonpur and temples designs from Kancheepuram and Dharmavaram. The epic Baluchari designs, golden Muga silks of Assam, tantalising Tussar products from Champa and Raipur and irresistible Eri
products of Assam are a great attraction.

Also, if you are not a saree fan then you can take your pick from the large variety of suits, dupattas, tops, kurtis, jackets, bedsheets, cushion covers and even curtains, which are available in all their silken splendour. The expo is a veritable one-stop shop for silk aficionados.