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The Craftmark show by the All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) was not only a fashionable showcase of crafts and designers but also an interesting presentation on the various artisans and their skills. This was beautifully utilised by three top designers – Anshu Arora, Hetal Shrivastav and Sonal Chitranshi at 6Degree Studio during Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2017.
AIACA licenses the Craftmark logo for Craft based businesses and NGOs as product tickets and labels. The Craftmark certification informs a customer that the product has been responsibly and ethically made to produce a sustainable income in a fair trade environment, which also ensures proper health and hygiene of the artisans. Craftmark has brought under its umbrella more than 150 crafts enterprises practicing about 90 specialized handicrafts processes.
The presentation of the three NGOs with the three designers celebrated the talent and ensured a sustained livelihood for the women crafts persons thereby also shining a light on the lack of recognition of the women in the artisanal wealth of the country.
The Glamour Of Lambadi Lore
Anshu Arora From Small Shop Designed With Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra
Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra
Bringing to the forefront the renaissance of crafts, the Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra has created an avenue to develop the skills of 300 crafts women who were able to market their creations and make a living with a regular income. An additional 100 are being trained to enable them to lead a comfortable life where wages as well as rations, bonus and provident fun are provided
Anshu Arora – The Small Shop
Known for her trendy and funky treatment of garments the line was a great combination of the crafts of artisans and the trendy shapes of modern women’s wear. Taking inspiration from the artisans amazing geometric pattern techniques, the designer created a mélange of unconventional designs.
The blouses, tops, dresses, and pants were the ideal base for the work done by the women of Sandur Kushala Kala Kendra. The unique technique of measuring with hands and forearm but not measuring tapes was mesmerizingly embroidered on a black double layered silhouette. The garments shimmered with old Mica mirrors and metal bits, which were the basis of the Lambadi embellishments. Tassels and embroidered anklets added onto the charm of the ensembles making them trendy and chic.
The dyeing facilities at the center were utilised by Anshu while the embroidery was created with master crafts person Shantabai. Horizontal pastel rows were dappled with mirror work and a black embroidery yoke for a smock.
A simple black Lambadi blouse looked great with a slim skirt, while tiny 3D bits highlighted the pretty rear yokes. Keeping the designs vey rustic the tunic skirts, strappy tent dresses were ideal creations that brought the craft to the forefront. Representing joy, love and the feeling of community, each silhouette was better than the previous one. For all those women who are not afraid of trying out something new and want to make their mark in the crowd, this collection was the one to look out for.
The Craftmark show was truly a fantastic lesson in design, craft, colour and embellishments that left a lasting impression on the audience.
