Threads of History

Proudly representing Indian craftsmanship, Vaishali S is the first Indian female designer to present at the Paris Haute Couture Week. The couturier speaks to Saranya Nadar about her journey so far.

AT VAISHALI S COUTURE, every thread tells a story. The couturier is passionate about breathing new life into age-old traditions and reviving dying handloom techniques. From the runways of Paris to the fashion hubs of Milan, Vaishali S reimagines classic Indian weaves in unconventional silhouettes.

EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Preserving India's handloom heritage is your core philosophy. Which are some handloom weaves that you've incorporated into your couture pieces?

My mission is to keep (re) discovering beautiful handweaving techniques that are dying and give them a new life and a new language. But my commitment goes beyond saving it-I maintain it too. That is why you may see a new technique in each collection. I don't discard the old ones either; they are still carried in some density in all my collections to give a constant stream of revenues to the weavers, across seasons.

Can you share an instance where a dying handloom technique was revived through your work?