Handloom love

To create awareness about the relevance and potential of handcraft skills and tradition in everyday life, fashion designer and revivalist Sonam Dubal of label Sanskar, partnered with Roopa Mehta, CEO of Sasha, a fair trade organisation, four years back to launch Tsutra — an exhibition that celebrates rich culture of Indian heritage and contemporary designs.

As they are ready to kick-off the fourth edition of the exhibition, the duo speak with Shilpa Raina about their journey and love for handlooms.

Excerpts:

How did the concept of Tsutra evolve?

Roopa: Sonam suggested we collaborate as we share the same sensibilities. Our commitment to sustainable fashion textiles and keeping traditional skills relevant through partnerships with designers resulted in the creation of Tsutra. The range has evolved with every collection and is today keenly sought out by the discerning, and socially conscious consumer.

What are the highlights this year?

Roopa: This year’s collection comprises handlooms in modern prints with Indo-African influences and interesting tribal craft detailing. The collection embodies a story of the earth in colours and designs reflected through surface detailing in wool poncho modern jackets and asymmetrical capes and dresses. Recycled textiles (kantha) are reintroduced in modern avatars. As part of the movement celebrating handlooms, a special line of Tsutra sarees has been developed for the collection and teamed up with modern quirky blouses.

What challenges did you face?

Roopa: To find a space in a crowded marketplace is a huge challenge. Having limited financial resources to promote the collection as well as the event in many more cities was a drawback. Indian handloom has finally found acceptance among mainstream fashion
vocabulary.

What is the aim of the exhibition?

Roopa: To create awareness of the relevance and potential of handcraft skills and tradition in our everyday life. As also the role of a sensitive creative designer to present a range that stands out in a crowd. Most importantly to support our talented weavers, artisans and craftspersons to get their due appreciation recognition and sustainable incomes.

Sonam: Also, to reinforce a sense of social responsibility among the cosmopolitan customer, which is of utmost importance today.