Bali Jatra, a contemporary design collection in handwoven silk saris reimagined after an extensive research on motifs, patterns, colours and references of textiles that were traded during that period.
The aesthetics are classical but the execution is contemporary. My interest was piqued and I knew I had to learn more about Vriksh and its founder, Gunjan Jain.
With each lap the Industrial Revolution makes, the lines between machine and human wear thin. A once-respected artisan morphs into a labourer and then, an operator. Soon, only wisps of human touch will remain.
Having done her designing course from Pearl Academy of Fashion, New Delhi, Gunjan set up ‘Vriksh’, an alternate design studio in Bhubaneswar, in 2008 to produce works in handloom using natural materials and traditional practices.