Khadi: A Style Statement
Harper's Bazaar India|September 2021
The handspun and handwoven organic cotton speaks of India’s past and holds the power ofa glorified future. In a Bazaar exclusive,leading designers share their views sustaining its significance.
Priya Kumari Rana
Khadi: A Style Statement

Khadi, for the last century, has symbolised the birth of India as a modern nation, a tool of self-reliance, in a land that has had a long-standing tradition of handwoven and handspun cloth. Taking its etymology from the word khaddar (handwoven), it was spun in Mahatma Gandhi’s ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati as a symbol of resistance to the British Raj; the fibre spun into yarn by hand on a wooden charkha (wheel).

The fascination for this fabric has led to some designers experimenting with it, finding brilliant new iterations. Design virtuoso Rajesh Pratap Singh, known for his minimal silhouettes, has been using khadi in his collections for well over a decade. “Woven khadi, when done right, gives it air pockets and makes it comfortable to wear because of the breadth of the yarn and the weave itself” says Rajesh.

“It is almost like second skin,” adds Urvashi, whose latest collection Apara featured naturally-dyed khadi, handspun and handwoven in jamdani weaves. “This is the lightest textile you can wear,” says the designer, whose 2013 khadi collection impressed audiences. Experimentation with jamdani as embellishment on this handspun cloth is also something that Anavila Misra believes in. Known for her saris (70 percent of her output), Anavila believes that because of its luxurious comfort, khadi can be a fabric of the future, but she adds that the processes involved in making it come at a cost, making it inaccessible to the masses.

Denne historien er fra September 2021-utgaven av Harper's Bazaar India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 2021-utgaven av Harper's Bazaar India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HARPER'S BAZAAR INDIASe alt
Unyielding And Unmatched
Harper's Bazaar India

Unyielding And Unmatched

In an industry where every move is scrutinised, Kareena Kapoor Khan lives passionately, loves her job, and understands that there’s more to her than just box-office numbers.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
SEEN AND HEARD
Harper's Bazaar India

SEEN AND HEARD

Female authors explore how crucial it is that women write about their personal experiences.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO
Harper's Bazaar India

INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO

What makes the feminist trailblazer an icon?

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'
Harper's Bazaar India

'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'

AR Rahman believes AI can be used without compromising on the artistic essence.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
THROUGH HER EYES
Harper's Bazaar India

THROUGH HER EYES

Indian supermodels remember legendary photographer Prabuddha Dasgupta ahead of his 68th birth anniversary.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS
Harper's Bazaar India

THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS

From adorning your body to your mantle piece, jewellery designers are turning to homeware.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
WEARABLE ART
Harper's Bazaar India

WEARABLE ART

Three limited-edition timepieces, inspired by Gaston-Louis Vuitton's love for artistry, is an ode to the Maison's legacy of craftsmanship.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
AS LONG AS TIME
Harper's Bazaar India

AS LONG AS TIME

Bazaar India delves into the ethos of watch brands.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
MILANO MAKEOVER
Harper's Bazaar India

MILANO MAKEOVER

Sabato De Sarno's reimagination of this classic Gucci bag is is an ode to his Milanese becoming.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR
Harper's Bazaar India

A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR

Designer Surily Goel reveals the making of her latest collection.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024