MAINSTREAM
FASHION DESIGNERS RAJESH PRATAP SINGH, ROHIT BAL, RINA DHAKA, ABU JANI AND
SANDEEP KHOSLA PRESENT KHADI IN NEW
AVATAR AND PLEDGE TO PROMOTE KHADI IN A BIG WAY AT 100 YEARS CELEBRATIONS OF
KHADI
New Delhi
February 23, 2019 Eminent Designers
including Rohit Bal, Rina Dhaka, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Rajesh
Pratap Singh and cine stars Arjun Rampal
and Aditi Rao Haidri celebrated 100 years of Khadi , presented once the fabric that spun the freedom in new
avatar to make it the stuff of contemporary style statement.
The
freedom yarn Khadi takes centre stage among the designer and fashion and
fashion world
India’s
renowned old and young fashion designers
and cine stars were in capital to promote Khadi as global sustainable fabric
and bring it to mainstream by giving the fabric a funky and trendy spin to make
it more suitable to modern sensibilities at the a day long conclave cum
exhibition ‘Khadi Goes Global’ organised
by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) and All India Women’s Education Fund Association
(AIWEFA) late last evening .
“The day
long conclave with the Theme ‘Moving towards global sustainable development for
the future of mankind’ was organised with the objective to promote Khadi as
global sustainable fabric and bring it to mainstream as a style statement.”
Said MS Pinky Reddy, President, FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) speaking
on the occasion.
“As the
world is getting more and more sensitive towards the environment, sustainable
fabrics are in demand, more now than ever.. it is important for designers to
work towards bringing back the old traditional khadi and making it wearable for
the new generation.I will include khadi and khadi in my future designs ” Said
Eminent designer Rohit Bal ,who was also presented National Award for promoting
and producing khadi
Rphit Bal showcased
a pastel collection, which included sarees and lehengas made from Khadi.
Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal, who looked dapper in a black sherwani with an
embroidered shawl, walked the runway as his showstopper.
Bal
described Khadi as the “fabric of the soul. And stressed on the need of
revamping the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) stores across the
country to give them new look to attract the youth .”It’s the national
fabric of our country. It stands for freedom, independence and self discovery.
It’s the fabric of now, before and the future,” Bal said.
Eminent
designer Rina Dhaka showcased a collection made out of Khadi, and also paid a
tribute to the martyrs of the Pulwama attack, which took place on February
14.Her white and beige collection had “Jai Jawaan” written on them.
Another
designer Rajesh Pratap Singh who has been promoting khadi for years presented a
wide array of dhotis, pants, shirts and sherwanis in plain white.
Now Khadi
is also a luxury product
“Khadi is
also seen as a luxury product now. World over, people appreciate its imperfect
perfection With more research, especially in design, coming in and better
weaving technology being employed, we’ll soon see a better quality of khadi
being made into high-quality garments of the future,” said Designer Rajesh Pratap
Singh, who has been promoting Khadi aggressively in his designs.
“It is
important to promote khadi because there is a major shift to sustainable
living. And khadi is a fabric which is affordable. It is also a fabric which
has not been exploited much by the designers. It inspires us to bring it to the
forefront because it is a fabric which can be used in creating things as fine
as a couture collection” said Fashion designer Sandeep khosla who also
showcased their khadi collection and has been working on khadi for last 30
years ..
Speakers
of Inaugural session 100 years of Khadi
The
Inaugural session was addressed by Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Ayog; Dr. Arun
Kumar Panda, Secretary, MSME; Ms. Preeta Verma, CEO, KVIC and Ms. Rekha Sharma,
Chairperson, NCW.
The national
awardees for promoting khadi at the conclave included Rohit Bal; Rajesh Pratap Singh; Concern
India Foundation; Shripal Shah Asal, Chaman Siju, Lajwanti , Rita Kapoor
Chishti, Rashmi Bharti .Tara Gandhi
Bhattacharjee and Shubhangi Nitin Mahajan.
A Khadi
Mudra Dance Performance titled “An Ode to Mahatma” by Geeta Chandran and
Sandhya Raman was another highlight of the event.
