Chennai, are you ready for a unique art-meets-fashion event this weekend? 

The sixth edition of Nayaab aims to bring the best of Indian textile crafts under one roof
Chennai, are you ready for a unique art-meets-fashion event this weekend? 

Chennai is a melting pot of all things artsy and fashionable. Bringing together these two diverse vibes under one roof is Nayaab —  a unique art-meets-fashion initiative by city-based art curator Sharan Apparao and textile enthusiast Rupa Sood. Offering Chennai some of their best textiles, in their sixth edition, 20 different brands will be showcasing their work. “As a practice, we do not stick to a single theme — like just embroideries or just vegetable colours — because the sad truth is that there are not enough people doing quality work,” says Sharan, adding, “Our focus has been, and still is, to provide excellence in crafts of India.”

Expect names like Weaver’s Studio, Kolkata, Urvashi Kaur, Vidhi Singhania and Zuilee, in addition to Sharan’s personal favourites like Indian Textiles, Taika by Poonam Bhagat and Pero. In a first, you can also find two artists — Baroda-based Smriti Dixit and Mumbai-based Manish Nai, who use textile in their art. “It is not fashion and certainly not wearable, but it is nice to see a contrast,” she elaborates. Our attention is also drawn to the first timers in Chennai and their offerings of everything from indigo hues and bespoke saris to unstitched kurtis and jewellery made from scarab wings. 

Classic cottons
Run by Bhanu and Neelu, six-year-old Kappas Kolkata was born of the idea that each piece of clothing has a story to tell.  “The pieces do not have any bling, so the focus remains on the fabric,” claims Bhanu. At the Nayaab event, Kappas (meaning cottonseed)will also be displaying fabrics that are unstitched, so that customisation is easier. “We have about 150 kurtas, 100 blouses, 50 dupattas and a few saris as well, for the show. Our fabrics (the focus being Bengal handlooms) are pure, organic and sourced from different parts of the country,” she adds.
Kurtis from Rs 3,000 onwards.

Labour of the loom
Established in 2007, Karomi The Handloom Tree believes handmade textiles made using the pit-loom method of weaving. Run by Sarita Ganeriwala and Sarika Ginodia, Karomi offers bespoke saris, kurtis and stoles, which boast their famous Jamdani detailing. “For our Chennai show, we are bringing our naturally dyed, handwoven khadi range, ” says Sarita. Also, expect designs in hues of indigo.  
Rs 1,500 onwards.

Lotus love
Displaying about 100 pieces of home décor and about 35 pieces of jewellery is Lotus Arts De Vivre, founded three decades ago by Rolf von Bueren and headquartered in Bangkok. “Our jewellery is made from natural material like seeds, nuts, stingray leather, and scarab wings. For our décor pieces we use the finest wood from Indonesia,” says Rolf. Expect everything from wind chimes to handcrafted jewellery at the exhibition. 
Home décor from `40,000 onwards.
Jewellery from `50,000 onwards.

July 26 to 28, 12 pm to 7.30 pm, At Crowne Plaza-Chennai Adyar Park.
 
 

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