Pause for a Cause, an exhibition of indigenous textiles

Handloom and sustainability are the buzz words of the country’s

fashion scene today. Even as our love for all things organic reaches a crescendo with designers flaunting traditional weaves on the ramp, Pause for a Cause brings an eclectic range of apparel and printed Indian textile in contemporary silhouettes to a two-day exhibition at Grand by GRT Hotels this weekend. “This is the sixth year we are showcasing in Chennai and for this show we are promoting six weavers along with the ensemble of designers that we have curated,” says Mamata Mahajan, who has been heading Pause for a Cause, the funding wing for a charity organisation that works with 300 grassroot NGOs, for the last 15 years. Keeping in line with the spring/summer season, look out for fusion wear like capes, layered skirts and maxi dresses in cotton, linen and organic fabrics, handcrafted jewellery, and unstitched kurta and blouse fabrics from a lineup of 20 designers.
Vraj Bhoomi
Ahmedabad-based designer Bhoomi Dani and her label Vraj Bhoomi may not be a new comer to the exhibition, but her line is an organic expression of her romance with the ajrak block prints of Gujarat and Rajas-than. Her

collection includes jackets, capes, layered tunics, asymmetrical dresses in organic  cottons, with accessory and footwear sections including bangles, peeptoes, wedges and Oxford shoes. 
`1,900 onwards for apparel. Details: vrajbhoomi.in
A Big Indian Story
With ikat, kalamkari, ajrak, batik and kantha prints featuring on her range of vegan leather products, Anuradha Alukar’s label, A Big Indian Story is a melange of traditional native crafts and lifestyle accessories. A first-timer at the exhibition, this Pune-based designer employs handblock printing techniques on vegan leather to fashion a range of handbags, shoulder bags, totes and wallets. `600 onwards for wallets. Details: abigindianstory.com
Dyelogue
Serving up a twist with her designs, quite literally, is Ahmedabad-based designer Rachita Parekh and her Kutch-bandhini craftsmanship on silk. Diverging from bright colours that are staples to the tie-and-dye technique, this 37-year-old sticks to

the use of a European colour palette of browns, yellows, greens and purples. Her line includes silk jackets, kaftans, shrugs and stoles with motifs like elephants, kathakali masks and floral patterns. `1,500 onwards for stoles. Details: 9724502188
Devieche
For Delhi-based couple Chetan and Devika Bhatia, the art of anything organic is their forte. In cotton handlooms from Odisha, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, expect to find straight-cut silhouettes as tunics, tops, capes, maxis and shirt dresses. `2,500 onwards. Details: 8800154442

At Grand by GRT Hotels. February 24-25. From 11 am to 7 pm. 
Details: 9884473245