Kota Doriya textiles showcased in LFW by Craftmark in association with Ka-Sha

An innovative presentation of Kota Doriya textiles by the All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association in collaboration with Karishma Shahani Khan at LFW
Fashion designer Karishma Shahani Khan
Fashion designer Karishma Shahani Khan

This festive show of Lakme Fashion Week saw an innovative presentation of Kota Doriya textiles by the All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA). The Craftmark show, a collaboration between Lakmé Fashion Week and Craftmark, is focused on creating alliance between Kota textile weavers of Rajasthan and designer Karishma Shahani Khan.

The sheer quality of the Kota Doriya fabric was a great inspiration for Karishma Shahani Khan’s label ‘Ka-Sha’. So, there was extensive layering for the garments, at times in contrasting forms. The inherent checked pattern of Kota Doriya was explored creatively by Karishma and brought to its ultimate fashion peak with clever detailing.

Moving away from the conventional ramp display, Karishma turned the venue into a mini museum where the installations of around 20 looks revealed models, who posed encased in muslin cubicles with floral patterns drawn and positive quotes written on the fabric. The presence of the weavers of the fabrics was an interactive experience and gave the display a personal touch.

While the hand woven checked and polka patterns of the fabrics were eye-catching, Karishma incorporated some hand embroidered fabric flowers, thread work and beaded tassels to highlight the beauty of the textiles, while sequin and zari added a touch of bling. Shades of deep green, grey, bright red and mustard were the prime colours for the collection that had a profusion of organic and floral geometry. The layered Kota Doriya fabrics were given noticeable volume and structured creatively with panels and over-lapping to present arresting silhouettes.

Patchwork was one of the additional detailing options that were given to the garments. The silhouettes of the ‘Ka-Sha’ label have always been comfort-oriented, so, the layers flowed away from the bodies of the models but in a feminine, fluid manner.

Karishma also experimented with the concept of reversible options and multiple lives for each garment. Therefore, her collection offered numerous possible uses both from inside and outside.

An attention-grabbing look was the ruffle and zari bordered blue sari with a layered, ruffled-sleeved, muted red wrap-around blouse. At the end of the installation, the fluid dress layered with a dupatta and coat stood out because of its bright peach-coloured, zari-checked fabric; while the white jacket embroidered with colourful floral designs was a great finale offering.

“Craftmark is very happy to return to Lakmé Fashion Week this year to showcase Kota Women Weavers, who are traditional weavers of the exquisite and delicate craft of Kota Doriya. Their participation in the Sustainable Fashion Day represents recognition of their skills at the national level,” says Anjali Bhatnagar, manager, enterprise support programme and marketing.

AIACA licenses the Craftmark logo for Craft based businesses and NGOs as product tickets and labels. The Craftmark certification informs a customer that the product has been responsibly and ethically made to produce a sustainable income in a fair-trade environment, which also ensures proper health and hygiene of the artisans. Craftmark has brought under its umbrella more than 150 crafts enterprises practising about 90 specialised handicrafts processes, with an outreach to more than 50,000 artisans across 23 states of India.

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