This year, instead of splurging on whatever’s trending, choose to explore ethically conscious craftsmanship to make your own niche. Studio Syu, a fashion label bringing back block printing and homegrown textiles, should be the next destination on your summer shopping spree. “Syu in Sanskrit literally mean thread!” Aparupa Ghosh, founder and sole designer of Studio Syu tells us. The label was set up with a focus on traditional techniques, which are used to create textiles with a contemporary edge; which are then produced into unstitched fabrics, yardage, sarees, scarves, bags etc.
You’ll find stunning kitschy prints, culturally relevant motifs, like bornoporichay printed khadi scarves, or table mats with haatpakha and rickshaw prints, tribal-printed dresses, handmade totes, and so much more. “We only use natural materials, pure silks, pure cottons, some blends like chanderi. In terms of sustainability, we are working towards a printed collection featuring only herbal colors, which are completely chemical free. And of course, our focus remains handmade, one-of-a-kind creations,” says Aparupa, who’s a textile graduate from Bengaluru’s Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology.
After a three-year stint at Kolkata’s Weaver’s Studio, Aparupa launched Studio Syu in 2014, when she finally decided to start something on her own. The designer works with several clusters of artisans based in and around Kolkata, and has found a way to seamlessly merge their craft with the narrative of contemporary design. “I work with block-printers and craftsmen and women in the city, and on the outskirts. I really try to uphold their skill set, their experienced handiwork and I incorporate modern techniques and methods into what they create. So, despite the locally-sourced fabrics, our creations do have a modern edge,” adds Aparupa, who also tells us that she often collaborates with artists and illustrators in her projects.
“For one of Studio Syu’s collections, I collaborated with the artist Jit Chowdhury, and we thought of blending each of our aesthetics into the textiles. We made use of some of his illustrations, and we made some kitschy blocks based on his art, and used them on our creations. We used digital prints, hand-prints and block-prints in that collection, so in terms of the production process, it was really diverse,” we are informed.
The designer also revealed that the cutting chai prints which you’ll find on her monochrome and ‘lal paad’ sarees, carry bags, table mats and scarves are really in demand. "Since people can see my work on social media, the reach of the label isn’t just limited to the city. Kolkata just happens to be where I work, but I’ve always wanted to reach out to a wider base, and I am shipping internationally too. People from all over the world get in touch with me, and pick up my stuff. I also supply my unstitched fabrics to designers and fashion outlets who then use them for their designs,” adds Aparupa.
To place an order, send a DM to Studio Syu’s Facebook or Instagram page. You can also make an appointment to check out Studio Syu’s Rash Behari space, located at 4B, Raja Basanta Roy Road.
Prices: Rs 350 to Rs 4,500
4B Raja Basanta Roy Road, Ground Floor, Kolkata - 700026