Mumbai: Lakmé Fashion Week extended their support to the ‘Woven Wonders of Varanasi’ exhibition curated by Shaina NC in association with the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India at Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum on 21st August. The exhibition showcased garments fashioned from hand crafted textiles of Banarasi weavers designed by  India’s top fashion designers like Ritu Kumar, Rohit Bal, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Anita Dongre, Ritu Beri, Gaurav Gupta, Varun Bahl, Anju Modi, Rina Dhaka, Sanjay Garg,  Krishna Mehta and Shruti Sancheti among others. The evening was graced by the presence of His Excellency the Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao, Hon. Minister of Textiles (Independent Charge), Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon. Minister of Textiles – Maharashtra, Shri Chandrakant Dada Patil, Ex MP Sushri Saroj Pandey, Chief Secretary, Maharashtra, Shri Swadheen Kshatriya.

Lakmé Fashion Week earlier this month launched their initiative titled ‘Re-invent Banaras’ as part of the Indian Handloom & Textile Day celebrations for the upcoming season. This is in line with the nationwide campaign led by Shaina NC focused to uplift the Banaras handloom industry, part of the ‘Make In India’ initiative supported by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.  ‘Woven Wonders of Varanasi’ exhibition is one such significant initiative, other than which the ‘Re-invent Banaras’ campaign includes fashion films, demonstrations, talks and panel discussions held at Lakmé Fashion Week this upcoming season, in support for the cause.

Saket Dhankar, Vice President and Head – Fashion, IMG Reliance Ltd, said, “The Indian Handloom & Textile Day at Lakmé Fashion Week commemorates the rich heritage of hand-woven luxury every season. This season, we celebrate crafts of weavers and artisans from Varanasi by launching ‘Reinvent Banaras’ campaign supporting the national initiative led by Shaina NC to promote the age-old Banaras textile tradition.  The idea is to extend a platform and put the spotlight back on the weavers, promote their art and bring it back to mainstream fashion. As part of ‘Reinvent Banaras’ initiative, we support this special exhibition ‘Woven Wonders of Varanasi’ which features hand crafted textiles of master weavers of Banaras designed by over 30 leading Indian designers.  We are extremely thankful to an enthusiastic patronage by Shaina NC, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum and Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India towards promotion of handloom and Banarasi textiles.”

Purnima Lamba, Head of Innovations, Lakmé India said “Lakme Fashion Week’s association with Shaina NC’s ‘Reviving Banaras’ initiative, is a tribute to the indigenous Indian craftsmen. We are proud of this heritage and are happy to provide a global platform to showcase their talent to a wider audience. Today’s exhibition, ‘Woven Wonders of Varanasi’ is our effort towards promoting an art form so integral to Indian fashion and honoring the exquisite work of these exceptional craftsmen. ”

Spearheading this initiative, Shaina NC said, “As a new India arises under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, we in the fashion fraternity decided what better way to give back to the country than by supporting the weavers and handlooms of Benaras, uplifting them and making a difference to their lives. This is inspired by Modiji’s ‘Make in India’ campaign.”

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar