Ikat Paradise
Perusing a fabric storage unit is always physically stressful. I have an acute fabric dust allergy, and a storage unit with tons of unwashed fabric sends me into a sneezing frenzy from which I take a full day to recover. Still, I can never refuse the opportunity to go through a supplier’s storage of fabric because I usually discover at least one fabulous piece that I would never have seen otherwise; usually suppliers tend to send swatches of their latest fabrics rather than an old forgotten piece lying in their ‘godown’.
In the last couple of months I’ve been keen on developing ikat fabrics with large motifs, similar to the ikat designs I’ve seen in antique pieces from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. I took a few print outs of images I found online and in encyclopedias and sent them to my supplier, Manasa Ikat Fabrics, in Hyderabad for reference. He said it would be difficult to develop and asked if I could just choose from his own collection. He sent me some swatches, but except for one, I didn’t care too much for the others- they were large motifs but they looked like Indian home furnishings fabric.
During my trip to launch my Monsoon Collection at Daaram in Hyderabad last week, I visited his fabric godown. I found just what I was looking for and more. Here are pictures of Central Asian designs and some others that I really loved; my trip there was definitely worth the clogged sinus.
In the last couple of months I’ve been keen on developing ikat fabrics with large motifs, similar to the ikat designs I’ve seen in antique pieces from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. I took a few print outs of images I found online and in encyclopedias and sent them to my supplier, Manasa Ikat Fabrics, in Hyderabad for reference. He said it would be difficult to develop and asked if I could just choose from his own collection. He sent me some swatches, but except for one, I didn’t care too much for the others- they were large motifs but they looked like Indian home furnishings fabric.
During my trip to launch my Monsoon Collection at Daaram in Hyderabad last week, I visited his fabric godown. I found just what I was looking for and more. Here are pictures of Central Asian designs and some others that I really loved; my trip there was definitely worth the clogged sinus.
Labels: ikat, research and development, textile design, textiles
posted by Anaka at
10:43 AM
10 Comments:
I love the pink swatch in the middle! It looks really adventurous but I suppose the garment would have to be really simple and well-constructed for this kind of busy fabric to really stand out.
i would use the 2, 3 and 4th for piping .. but that's just me
Dear Anaka,
Our traditional textiles definitely rock.
My current profile at work has very little to do with fabric sourcing, something I loved doing in my last job.
These ikkat prints are really wonderful and exceptional. I did work with a lot of ikkat prints but never came close these beautiful ones.
Lots of ideas already brimming in my mind on seeing these fabrics. I so miss my old job :) But, that is life :(
Sophia: nothing like a trip to an ikat weaver's godown to discover the best stuff. Even retail stores wouldn't carry anything other than the mass produced ikat designs.
Anrosh: Not sure what you mean. Are you saying it's too busy to use for anything other than piping? Explain yourself :)
Vidya: I'm going to use at least one of these ikat fabrics in a simple full length dress, fitted at the empire line (below the bust) and perhaps revealing at the shoulder and back.
i like the first pattern but might prefer some bright colors in it... Probably a dress made on the bias
The last pattern has too many colors... but thats just me
They look good and they do look very Central Asian esp the last three.
Iaminchennai: yes the last design does have a lot of colours, but I like it. I'm usually so restrained in my colour choice that I think it would be nice once in a while to choose something really adventurous.
http://www.lillypulitzer.com/Outerwear/Mainsail-Fleece-ALMOST-SOLD-OUT/invt/72737&bklist=icat,5,colone,,womens,womensouterwear .
the picture gives you an idea of the piping ( i am sure it has other name) on the neck.
Ah I see what you mean now. I know what piping is, just didn't know whether you felt these fabrics would look best as piping. 2 or 3 years ago these ikat fabrics would have been too loud for me, but now I love them. I think a long evening dress for a beach party would look great in these large motifs.
love the ikats, anaka...
( especially the 2nd and 3rd ones)
Cant wait to c them in the store :)
Divya
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