Chandigarh
14 March 2021
DIVYA AZAD
A showcase of handmade products created by original artisans and designers -‘Global Fashion – Summer Stylists’ – a platform aimed at removing middlemen and connecting designers & traditional artisans directly with consumers, has started at Himachal Bhawan, Sec 28 here. The showcase of 60 designers of different genres of attires & lifestyle products, created by skilled artisans and creative designers from pan India will be on till March 15, 2021 (Monday) from 11 am to 9 pm.
Rattandeep Singh Walia, the organiser said, “We have brought designers from states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, UP, HP for the benefit of tricity consumers. These designers are showcasing the famous embroideries, fabrics etc of their parent states and most of the ensembles have been handcrafted. The idea was to provide a single stop facility to the designers to showcase their offerings directly to consumers thereby improving profit margins. This is the need of the hour as COVID 19 pandemic has adversely affected the industry.”
Ms. Aman Walia, who is also part of the organising team said, “We have put in place all COVID 19 Standard Operating Procedures(SoPs’) in accordance with government guidelines. These are being strictly followed. The exhibition offers products from all parts of India as 50 exhibitors have come from outside tricity.”
A young Mumbai based jutti designer Kanishka Nagrath who has as clients of her label ‘I Love My Jutti’ Bollywood celebrities like Raveena Tandon, Neha Dhupia, Anita Hassanandani etc & Punjabi film stars like Sara Gurpal , is attracting a lot of attention with her awe inspiring Kolhapuris & designer juttis. Kanishka said, “It is an honour to be endorsed by Bollywood and even Pollywood actresses. I have multicoloured sequence juttis with white base. There are Indo Western Kolhapuris and ethnic handcrafted Kolhapuris too. Banarsi and Bagh print juttis ,offer simplicity at its best.”
Meanwhile visitors to Himachal Bhawan have been left in awe of the Puppets in the form of key chains made by Rajasthan’s Bhat Community (From Udaipur district). These have been showcased at Jaipur Vibes , which has brought many other authentic Rajasthani products like handmade Jaipuri quilts which are world famous. India’s traditional Bandhej based handcrafted products have also been displayed. Aakshi Malhotra, a curator of Rajsathani handicraft products & founder of Jaipur Vibes says, “Such exhibitions are very helpful in showcasing all handicraft items made by master artisans from Rajasthan which is the cultural capital of India. The creativity of skilful weavers gets recognised and exposed in different areas of the country through such platforms.”
Handloom based designer wear & products from places like Panipat in Haryana are available. Intricate Lucknowi Chikankari a popular handicraft based embroidery of UP is providing fashion lovers an opportunity to buy authentic Chikankari based apparels. Sufiyaan Couture by Abdul & Zyaan from Agra has brought readymade party wear suits. Ritu4Looks from Ludhiana has showcased stylish Pakistani Kurtis. Vintage from Shimla has Pakistani lawn suits. Tandav Collection from Mumbai has brought western wear items.
There are beautiful jewellery genres too. ‘Delhi’s Jashan’ has a range of products, like oxidised, black metal, German silver and lightweight brass jewellery. ‘Banjaara’ from Jaipur has an exotic collection of Jaipuri jewellery.
Dry fruits have been brought from Afghanistan. Another unique offerings are homemade soaps and skin friendly beauty products from ‘The Sattwa, Chandigarh’.
Home Decor segment has labels like Crafting Dreams from Chandigarh, Arpan Home decor & Delhi’s Exotic Bedding Hub among others.
