Seventeen distinct saree weaves from India took center stage at a Saree Fashion Show during London Fashion Week. The event showcased the rich heritage of Indian textiles, featuring stunning examples of golden mekhela chador, kasavu, kanjivaram, paithani, baluchuri, garad, kantha, sambalpuri, chanderi, bhadhni, ghatchola, and phulkari sarees. The sarees, belonging to High Commission staff members and High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanshyam, paid tribute to the skilled artisans and weavers who create these masterpieces. The High Commission of India, London collaborated with INIFD and the London School of Trends to organize the fashion show at Victoria House. Prior to the event, Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani shared a video message highlighting the splendor and cultural significance of sarees.
Ramya Rao, co-founder of Kalaneca, praised the initiative for bringing diverse handwoven weaves from the Indian diaspora to an international audience, emphasizing the importance of showcasing the variety of colors, threads, weaving techniques, and draping styles. Rao advocated for early exposure to handwoven textiles and emphasized the significance of sustainable fashion by promoting handloom sarees as a first saree experience for individuals.
Puneet Jain and Yatin Jain, directors of Odhni, commended the fashion industry for keeping Indian culture alive by showcasing sarees on global platforms. They highlighted the role of celebrities and designers in promoting sarees internationally, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives in placing the saree on the world map.
Fashion shows, according to Jain and Jain, play a crucial role in promoting Indian attire like sarees and changing consumer perceptions of handloom products. Educating consumers about the contemporary aspects of handloom can increase acceptance and usage. Furthermore, making handloom products available on e-commerce platforms can significantly increase awareness and accessibility.
Raghuram Kuchibhatla, founder of YesPoho, spoke about the unique nature of sarees, emphasizing their connection to thousands of years of Indian tradition. He highlighted the sense of luxury, grace, elegance, and femininity that sarees evoke, making women feel like princesses. Kuchibhatla emphasized the vast variety of fabrics, colors, patterns, and prints available in sarees, making each one unique.
The versatility and enduring appeal of the saree, having survived centuries of change, invasions, and colonization, have contributed to its global popularity as a glamorous and fashionable garment. Its adaptability to various occasions has made it a favorite among women worldwide. Promoting saree culture on international platforms through events like this saree fashion show can further generate interest in India’s rich textile heritage among fashion enthusiasts.
