#picturefirst

[gobgapplasticbag]

#picturefirst #eatlater #morning (at BMW Performance Motors Thailand) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNRJrwrD_18/?igshid=1xhxis4aitnmr

[tez-chan]

#picturefirst #pulangkampung #lampung #allfamily (at Aston Lampung City Hotel)

[fatgirlproblems321]

I'll never stop dreaming and neither should you! #fatgirlproblems #fatgirladventures #disneyside #orlandoamwaycenter #imadarlin #orlandosolarbears #disneydistracted #picturefirst (at Amway Center)

[quirkyconnection-blog]

On A Handloom High

In the run up to the National Handloom Day, we focus on few Indian designers who are reviving the traditional handlooms and giving it a contemporary twist making it more wearable and relatable.

The first in the series are Jaya Bhatt and Ruchi Tripathi, who have created a brand called Indigene that mostly works with natural eco-friendly fabrics woven in remote India. They have also provided a platform for various artisans to collaborate and showcase their skills. Here’s an excerpt of an interview with them.  

Tell us about the journey that led to the creation of Indigene?

Both of us graduated in textile design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi. The exposures at the institute got us interested in handmade and the rich textile crafts of India. Both of us worked with craft based NGOs and projects for almost 8 years. The extensive work we did with these artisans and organizations helped us create the idea we call Indigene.

A creation of Ruchi and Jaya

Why did you decide to work on khadi?

We have always worked on natural fiber bases, khadi as a fabric and as a philosophy sets best with Indigene. Our design language is easy, natural and rustic. What better than khadi to represent it.

Your take on ecofriendly and sustainable fabrics and designs? Do you see a future in it and is working in that direction a conscious decision?

A fabric is called sustainable when it undergoes a sustainable process - when no excessive power or energy is required to create it, is natural and does not pollute the environment, is created using indigenous knowledge and techniques and provides livelihood to people who are involved in creating it.  There sure is a future for natural in these times when we are struggling with pollution, chemicals and other manmade hazards. Indigene has always believed in using natural fabrics/ fibers, indigenous techniques and craft skills, so yes, it is a conscious decision.

Tell us about your efforts to provide a platform to artisans?

Our artisan partners are our strength and support. We make constant efforts to work in collaboration with our artisans. Providing them design, quality and skill trainings to improve the product line each season, and showcasing the products with appropriate craft story and artisan detail. We also have interaction sessions with our artisan groups for a better understanding of their perspective and feedback on a particular product/ design.

Where do you draw your inspiration from for your designs?

We find our inspirations in nature and in craft traditions world - wide. We love to interpret various crafts and techniques; textiles, architecture, wall art, paintings, clothing from different eras etc into our own language and giving our themes a global resonance.

What is the brand philosophy?

Indigene started with a passion for all things handmade—translating traditional handcrafting techniques into contemporary aesthetics and styling. Lending a new perspective to that which is “made by hand” and turning it into a larger, yet deeply personal, statement. Indigene clothing is simple, modest yet stylish, keeping the essence of handcraft and fine detailing together, appealing to anyone who is experimental, creative and not bound by social norms and brackets.

Indigene takes great pride in its family of highly skilled artisans involved at several stages of creation. Following an ethical supply chain, it strives to keep intact the real meaning of ‘handmade by artisans’ and ‘ethically crafted’. Each Indigene product goes through several hands and geographies and is a compilation of stories.

A dress from Indigene’s latest collection

Tell us about your latest collection

Our current collection is called “Between the lines” (The Monsoon edition). A play of stripes, linear patterns and motifs is what "Between the lines" isall about. Indigene's Monsoon edition in handwoven, hand-spun khadi takes its inspiration from the German Bauhaus design philosophy—a deep connection between form and functionality, beauty and utility. Indigene uses woven stripes and geometric block print patterns to bring forth the Bauhaus notion with minimal, clean, linear forms and silhouettes. Garment styling is simple and versatile with overlays, pockets and easy fits, with extensive use of pleats and fine hand embroideries adding to the detail.

Jaya Bhatt (L) and Ruchi Tripath (R)

A piece from the summer resort wear line created by the designers

Most of their dresses like this is crafted out of handwoven Khadi

The duo make use of Sujni craft from Bihar, Bengal and Chattisgarh that’s mainly used to convert old sarees into quilts

The embroidered motifs are inspired by the geometry of the Gurunsi huts of Burkina Faso, Africa

Contemporary cuts and silhouettes make the dresses apt for young, urban women

A printed pocket dress that’s simple yet elegant

An embroidered shirt combined with a pleated is stylish, classic and apt for warm Indian clime

[hintofcurry]

I thought the uncharacteristic crying spell for the last 5 minutes of our trip was cause she was hungry. #picturefirst #helpsecond