LFW to revive Banaras handlooms

Organisers of the Lakme Fashion Week announced the launch of their initiative titled 'Re-invent Banaras' for the revival of Banaras handlooms along with designer-politician Shaina NC in Mumbai on Wednesday. Designers Krishna Mehta, Shruti Sancheti and textile designer Hemang Agrawal were present at the event.

Contributing to the initiative, ace designer Ritu Kumar revealed some significant looks from her 'Varanasi Weaves’ collection, that will be showcased at the Indian Handlooms and Textiles Day, Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 on August 27.

The exhibit will showcase the works of fashion designers like Ritu Kumar, Anita Dongre, Ritu Beri, Gaurav Gupta, Varun Bahl, Rina Dhaka and Krishna Mehta, on a single platform.

Saket Dhankar, Vice President and Head - Fashion, IMG Reliance Ltd, shared, “Our aim is to provide a platform to showcase the variety and vibrancy of Indian weaves and highlight Indian crafts to a global and young audience.

We are delighted to announce that this special edition of Indian Textile Day will revive, uplift and reinvent Banaras handlooms in partnership with India’s leading designers. ‘Re-invent Banaras’ will showcase the magic of Banaras handlooms on the ramp and we plan to put the focus back on Banaras handlooms through exhibitions, fashion films, demonstrations and panel discussions.”

Purnima Lamba, Head of Innovations, Lakmé India said, “Craftsmanship is indigenous to Indian culture and we are pleased to announce this one-of-a-kind collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India.

This season, on the Indian Textile Day at Lakme Fashion Week, we look forward to extend our support and encouragement to the talented craftsmen of the country by launching a design movement.”

Spearheading this initiative, Shaina NC said, “This entire initiative of reviving Indian textiles is more of a way to giving back to society, where designers give back to the artisans who have woven and created the most beautiful textile.

Taking forward Prime Minister Modiji’s dream of ‘Make in India’, the design fraternity has come together in this collaboration, where all stake holders create a product that is par excellence to show what ‘Make in India’ vis-à-vis the design fraternity can be.

This will be the first time when the international textile and fashion community will take notice of India and its abundant textiles and pay focus to the artisans.”