There's great news for Ikat print aficionados. Handcrafted Indian textile shop Vaya is showcasing ikat options with a contemporary touch. Hyderabad-based concept-clothing label, Translate ufffd The Revivalist's Soul, have brought down ikat designs on tops, tunics, kurtas and other apparel
The dyeing technique of ikat involves a process similar to the tie-and-dye process. Apart from India, the technique has been practiced in countries including Japan, Indonesia and the continent of South America.u00a0
Giving the age-old technique a modern makeover is the Hyderabad-based design line Translate - The Revivalist’s Soul. Run by fashion designer Vinita Passary, the line fuses the art of hand-woven ikat fabric with urban wear.
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Their collection is on display at the handcrafted Indian textile shop Vaya. The line includes tops, tunics, reversible jackets, dresses, kurtas, palazzos, stoles, dupattas, scarves and sarees for women as well as formal shirts and kurtas for men and atypical smart wear designs for children. They also have apparel in plus sizes.
Speaking about the collection, Mira Sagar, proprietor of Vaya, says, “Translate works with regional ikat artisans in transforming the traditional weaving skills to ethical aesthetic wear.” She reveals that it is an attempt to re-introduce hand-woven textiles that suit chic, urban and comfortable day-to-day fashion, reminding us that, “It’s an attempt to create awareness for India’s rich heritage in handlooms and help revive the hard work of needy, talented weavers from across the country.”
The collection includes vibrant, minimalist apparel that are skin-friendly. “The textiles used for the new line of collection are lightweight cottons in indigo, black, white, grey, maroon and mustard colours. We use a special process of vat dyeing to make the textile skin friendly.” She adds that the fabrics are washed, shrunk and softened to ensure they are colour-fast. “The collection, which consists of cotton clothing and a wide range of sarees are classic, minimalist and have more emphasis on effortless styling, all of which distinguishes it from other collections,”
adds Sagar.
While the ready-to-wear clothing and accessories like scarves and shawls, are priced between R2,500 and R5,000, sarees are priced between
Rs 8,000 and Rs 14,000.
Till August 10, 11 am to 7 pm
At Vaya store, Cool Shanagh, 8, off Peddar Road, Nawroji Gamadia Road, Breach Candy.
Call 23536544 u00a0
What is Ikat?
Ikat is a tie-dyed technique that can be found in states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh (Pochampalli), primarily. The most renowned traditional design is of chaupad, which consists of squares and strong elements of black and red. Gujarat’s Patola sari ises the technique of double ikat which combines the art of tying and dying the warp and weft threads and weaving them together according to a pre-selected pattern.