#IWearHandloom campaign goes viral

Ahead of National Handloom Day, which falls on Sunday, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani launched a #IWearHandloom initiative, which went viral online. Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) president Sunil Sethi also urged the fashion fraternity to promote handloom consumption.

The campaign encourages the wearing and sharing of handwoven garments and accessories. The campaign that began on Monday has found takers from all quarters.

The twitter-based campaign is aimed at empowering handloom weavers of the country, and the FDCI is a frontrunner in the celebration of warp, weft and weaves.

"With more and more trend-setters like you (Irani) recognising the value of hand-woven textiles and finding them relevant, the time is right to set the stage for a grander spectacle," Sethi, who himself shared a photograph flaunting handloom garments, said in a statement.

The initiative that went viral on twitter was supported by the fashion designers, sportsmen, politicians and the public in general.

Acknowledging the support extended by FDCI, Irani said, "I thank the FDCI along with top designers across the country who have played a critical role in making this campaign a success and helping mainstream handloom globally."

On Monday, Irani took to her social media account and posted, "I support Indian weavers, here's my #IWearHandloom look - Handwoven Silk from Bihar. Share your look and tag five people."