“Sustainability”. The catchphrase shows up only twice during my hour-long conversation with Abhilasha Bahuguna. Words have been a big part of the current clothing missive, and she knows that, but her main obligation is to
not mistake slogans for solutions. Instead, she speaks single-mindedly on real issues like the practice of slow-paced consumption, and living sustainably by marrying steady employment with homespun solidarity.
The 29-year-old and her husband, Prasanna Ramaswamy G, founded the Looms of Ladakh Women Cooperative, a farm-to-fashion collective that utilises and showcases their adopted region’s rich heritage of wool in all its renditions: pashmina, yak, sheep and camel.
All-natural, renewable, warm, odour-resistant, adaptable, non-flammable, soft, wrinkle-free: wool is a planet-friendly fibre with a lot going for it. Yet, thanks to India’s rhetoric and push for home-produced Banarasi brocades, Chanderi silks, khadi or cotton via its politics and policies, there is very little attention directed towards the wool industry. “It’s a matter of perception. Wool may lack the finesse of Chanderi silk, but that can change with government-led interventions of technology and science. I have no doubt that our country’s legacy of woollen textiles—starting with Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and travelling down to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh—is on par with our international counterparts,” Bahuguna explains.
With Ladakh’s new status as a Union Territory, Bahuguna feels artisans and producers will be able to avail the benefits of central government schemes and work towards the recognition of their heritage on the textile map of India.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Candid With Kriti
After a decade of flirting with fame, the stars have aligned for Kriti Sanon. But under the gilded glory of this cosmic shower, she is clinging on to a "happy, restless" state of mind, finds Hasina Jeelani
GOLDENBOY
In an exclusive interview with ELLE, Footballer Lallianzuala Chhangte shares insights on being at the top of his game
His Reign
Shaeroy Chinoy meets Taha Shah Badussha-the breakout star of Netflix's recent release Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'
Portrait of a PUBLISHER ON FIRE
Founder of Seagull Books, Naveen Kishore, reflects on building a global audience and what keeps him in the game. Aindrisha Mitra listens in
LUXE OFF-ROADING INMOROCCO
Riaan Jacob George took the nifty Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 out for a rather long spin through the Atlas Mountains, and here's his verdict
TROPICAL LUXURY
Opulence meets tranquillity along the serene beachfront at Ronil Goa-AJdV by Hyatt Hotel, finds Vriddhi Mehra
DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE RETREAT: COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT ARAVALI RESORT
Nestled in the serene heart of the Aravali range in Haryana, the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort offers a perfect blend of nature and modern luxury.
THE VIETAGE BY ANANTARA
Connecting Nha Trang & Quy Nhon, the luxury train is a must-do addition to your Vietnam itinerary
TEA AMO
What happens when an Indian cocktail bar joins forces with a tea estate? Isha Mayer finds out on a spring tea trail to Darjeeling
ALPINE CHARM
Isha Mayer discovers ski adventures, fine dining & palace hotels on a winter escape to Courchevel