Khadi is the new cool, and this winter is the time to look khadiful!
At the launch of Raymond's ‘Khadi Wool’ collection, in association with The Woolmark Company, we saw a highly cosmopolitan employment of khadi: on business suits, dresses and edgy sherwanis.
Made in pure Australian Merino wool and blended wool, the collection was an imaginative display of “khadifying” business separates, casual wear and of course, our very own desi wear.
Through the show we saw a smooth transition from desi to videsi, visualising how the fabric – that has historically been associated with the identity of India – can be meticulously repurposed to please modern aesthetics.
Although, some more artistic experiments could have been carried out, but the company's vastness of operations seems to have curtailed that kind of freedom.
As a result of mainstreaming Khadi, the company, through its partnership with KVIC, estimates to generate about 3 million man-hours of employment for khadi artisans in rural India.
Already, 20 Khadi clusters have been mobilised to create these designs. To put this in perspective, there are almost 8.5 lakh khadi artisans in the country who are still patiently involved in hand spinning and hand weaving. And they need much more work.
Coming back to the collection, priced between Rs. 100 to Rs. 3,000 per metre, it will be available at select Raymond stores. A small (read: large) price to pay for wearing your sartorial patriotism on your sleeves! But overall, the collection seems like a job well done.
Camera: Abhay Sharma
Video Editor: Mohd. Irshad
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