Look for big bandhani, daabka ajrakh and pattiwork apparel at Hands of India’s pop-up

With multiple Indian designers and labels shouldering the responsibility of forwarding slow fashion, Hands of India (HOI) has only one thing on its agenda — showcasing 10 embroidery forms from across the country. In its second pop-up in the city following their debut last year, the Vrindaban-based brand’s summer edition is highlighting big bandhani, daabka ajrakh and handwoven pattiwork. “Hands of India specialises in creating contemporary women’s apparels and home furnishings,” shares Malyada Goverdhan, co-founder of the label. 

A three-day exhibition that starts today, the collections on display at Coimbatore include palazzos, skirts, jackets, kurtas and pants. “Indo-Western silhouettes form the majority of the market demand. We have converted ethnic drapes featuring traditional surface techniques like phulkari, chikan, pattiwork and aari, among others, into wardrobe staples to cater to our clientele,” she says. While this may be the case, Malyada is excited about the debut of the label’s most prized possession — handwoven cotton Ilkal saris from Bagalkot. “Very few saris offer the comfort and quality of drape like an Ilkal sari. These saris are woven using cotton warp on the body and art silk warp for border and pallu. It is being introduced in cotton for the very first time by HOI.”

A collaborative effort of sisters Malyada and Ramya Goverdhan, HOI’s entire process of sourcing, weaving, stitching and embroidery is done in-house. Employing 1,500 from across the country, Malyada tells us that some of them will be a part of the city showcase. 

Rs 700 onwards. From June 8 to 10. At Gujarati Samaj.