A famend designer whose creations have captivated the style world with their timeless class, Anavila Misra has carved a distinct segment by seamlessly mixing conventional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities, particularly within the fashionable rendition of the quintessential drape – sarees. And plenty of of her collections are impressed by the experiences she has throughout her travels. She speaks to us about her hometown, inspirations for her clothes, and her suggestions for textile fans.
Inform us about your hometown and any distinct reminiscences round sarees
I used to be born in Karnal in Haryana, the place I spent a lot of my childhood. My first distinct reminiscence of a saree is connected to my mom, who would put on one on particular events. Folks in northern India, particularly Haryana and Punjab, solely wore sarees often. However my mom had a gorgeous assortment in her wardrobe; from Benarasi to Kanjeevaram, there have been gorgeous handloom items that she used to don, which was a supply of inspiration for my sister and me. I used to be too younger to grasp the worth of the textiles and the craftsmanship, but it surely was virtually the epitome of female grace.
How did your model Anavila come into being?
Most of us have been conditioned to imagine sarees have been meant for formal occasions. But it surely was once I began working with the Ministry of Rural Improvement on their craft cluster tasks with weavers I used to be uncovered to handwoven textiles. I fell completely in love with sarees and noticed a niche in how handloom textiles have been perceived. Across the similar time, I used to be excited about making sarees extra fashionable and modern. That’s once I began engaged on linen sarees and my model.
Has travelling impressed you in any manner?
Travelling in itself to anywhere, whether or not it’s in India or overseas, is exceptionally inspirational. I’ve a selected affinity for rural elements of any area; I make it some extent to journey to extra distant elements of a rustic. Trendy cities are considerably homogenised, barring their structure. There are small pockets like Khar in Mumbai the place you’ll be able to see buildings from totally different eras. However in rural areas, the lifestyle and expression modifications from one place to a different.
For Lakme Trend Week, all our clothes have been impressed by a sustainable native apply referred to as Dabu and created in Bagru, a small village in Rajasthan. After I go to West Bengal, the place most of my sarees are woven, it’s lovely to see how they use their pure and present sources inside their textiles. These region-specific textile traditions greatest characterize our conversations on sustainability.
Advocate three locations to somebody eager on understanding India’s textile traditions
Powerful name, however I like to recommend West Bengal, Gujarat and Kashmir. We’re distant from the traditions of Ladakh and Kashmir, however their textiles are each lovely and opulent. Kashmir’s Sozni Embroidery is among the most subtle types of needle embroidery; one scarf takes artisans virtually three years to make. In Ladakh, artisans do unbelievable work with wool, and it’s mesmerising to find out about nomadic tribes, what they might carry with them once they travelled and the way they made supplies out of domestically obtainable sources.
Any locations past India?
Vietnam is like India in that also they are attempting to work carefully with native textiles and methods and protect them. The Sa Pa area within the nation, the place they work with naturally obtainable supplies and pure dyes, left an indelible impression on me. Japan can also be on my listing solely as a result of I’ve not been there. They’re very aware of how they create, which is unbelievable to witness.
The place does sustainability function in your course of? What would you wish to see modified or inspired within the relationship between mainstream style and artisanal involvement?
There may be a number of deal with crafts now. India will not be imitating the West, and we now have discovered a way of regained delight in our heritage and tradition. Most designers are boldly our previous and collaborating with native artisans to create collections. Younger designers are instantly associating themselves with India’s heirloom crafts and textiles. We’ve a vibrant future concerning craft-based indigenous designs that can flood the markets within the coming years.
