It’s been a good year for fashion designer Madhu Jain. At 57, she has come into her own, with awards for her work as textile revivalist as well as a show at the Amazon Fashion Week in October of three weaves: the coarse bamboo, subtle silk, and damatic ikat. The self taught queen of ikat learnt on the job, interning with master weavers across India and later in Southeast Asia and Central Asia.Jain has been working with artisansal livelihoods, reviving and reinventing traditional weaves. One of her primary examples is the bamboo textile, which embodies her sustainability ideal, given that India is the second largest producer of bamboo in the world. Here is Jain, in conversation with Kaveree Bamzai on handloom, Nurjehan and weavers’ clusters.
How has your work in the technique of ikat progressed?
Ikat is a highly specialised weaving technique and like all traditional art forms, is passed on from father to son. When I work with weavers, my input is design intervention and a clear idea of what I’d like the finished weave to look like. However, this means that I have to keep their sensibilities in mind, even when I’m trying to reinterpret “their” weave. For instance, before fashioning my Indo-Uzbeki ikat line, I learnt from master weavers in Uzbekistan.
Is ikat indigenous to India? And if so, how did it go all over the world and what are the lessons in this for the Indian weaver and designer?
Denne historien er fra November 13, 2017-utgaven av India Today.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 13, 2017-utgaven av India Today.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WEAVE A STORY
Saree plays muse and material in this modern iteration
SIMPLE LIVING
Spatial planning meets spirituality, and up-cyling meets unconventional design practices, in this Gurgaon home
HARMONY IN DESIGN
Using principles of vaastu coupled with a creative interplay of open and closed spaces, this home in Vadodara is a welcome sight
THE NEW ECO CHIC
This home in Kerala is designed on the principles of climate responsive architecture
Crafting a New Look
A look at five festive artistic finds from Jaipur to brighten your celebrations
NAMES TO KNOW
From homes and offices to banquets and hotels, these architects and designers' approach to design is paving the way for some exciting spaces
CHIC AND COSY
Let your indoor winter wonderland revel in bold bedding, quilted beauties and charming cushions
STEP INTO STYLE
This winter, international collaborations are lending the Indian carpet industry a unique look underfoot
DECK THE HALLS
With this festive array of accessories, cushions and X'mas-themed decoratives
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Looking for Christmas inspiration? Here are plenty of ideas to steal and products to make it come to life.