Shrijan blends fashion and art in New Delhi
'This showcase brings together elements of fashion, craft, art, and culture," the development commissioner for handicrafts Amrit Raj told Elle India about the initiative. Curated by Sunil Sethi, chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India, in collaboration with Craftroots and supported by DC Handicrafts under the Ministry of Textiles, the showcase explores the transformation of traditional techniques into contemporary expressions.
Shrijan frames craft as a metaphor for birth and renewal, using textiles and textures to reflect creation, growth and transformation. The exhibit features cotton, silk, Mashru, velvet, Kutchi weaves and Ajrakh fabrics, with techniques ranging from hand embroidery and aari work to crochet, mud art, bamboo knotting and LED integrations.
"The Final Layer- an evocative installation where bamboo canes, thread balls, and hand embroidery come together in a gown that symbolises collective emotion and unity," the FDCI announced on Facebook, sharing images of an art piece from the exhibition. "Each element is meticulously crafted, reflecting the shared rhythm of creation and the beauty of craftsmanship."
Many of the featured pieces were created by rural artisans from Gujarat, supported by Craftroots, a platform that works with over 35,000 craftspeople across India. 'We wanted the artisan to be the hero,' said Sethi about the exhibit.
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