Designer’s favourite fabric

Khadi is India's signature fabric, and is interwoven with Indian history and culture. It connects the rural & urban India. From the timeless pieces adorned by our grandmothers and mothers to the fashion statements created by the younger in age, Khadi is ageless. The fabric becomes cool in the summer, and warm in the winter, which makes it one of the most wanted fabrics.

“Khadi is perhaps the most versatile fabric and can be easily blended with the latest fashion trends. People can get creative with Khadi pieces like Scarfs and jackets and pair them up with whatever is currently in vogue and hence, accentuate the entire look. In fact, a Khadi palazzo looks stunning and goes well with a trendy top or a Khadi kurta. Khadi is equally preferred by both the genders.

However, considering the range of Khadi fashion, the options available for women are much more than those for men. Therefore, by the virtue of clothing choices, I believe women wear Khadi more often than men,” says Saahil Goel, CEO and Founder, BigFoot Retail Solutions Pvt. Ltd. ( KartRocket, ShipRocket and Kraftly).

“Khadi is an inevitable part of Indian fashion trends. Various fashion enthusiasts and key personalities consciously or unconsciously donning the Khadi look has brought the fabric to the forefront of mainstream attention. I believe that Khadi will continue to shine, considering its multifaceted characteristics and the ability to accentuate every outfit,” he adds.

The “RaDa’ collection by Divya Sheth (Delhi- based designer) at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2017; had mixed inspirations. She says, “Khadi goes well with any material. My collection at LFW was an artistic merger of pichwai paintings and Frida Kahlo’s surreal art.

Special hand painted Kalamkari illustrations in natural dyes came together with hand spun, hand woven khadi along with Mukaish and badla work, which was all dramatically brought to centre stage. And I feel that Indian Royalty styles as peasant dresses gave a great contemporary twist to the collection with Khadi.”

Hyderabad- based designer Gaurang Shah says, “Khadi is an inspirational fabric. Over the years and different twists that have been brought Khadi, for instance, decreasing the count from 100 to 80 has made the fabric a fashion trend. What is beautiful about this fabric is its body friendliness. It breathes air like none.

Its gentleness is unparalleled. Today, fashion consumers find Khadi in unseen presentations like the vibrant floral blooms, birds, butterflies and foliage themes that we introduced to the International fashion platform and in India. The meticulously woven combination of colours left many in awe and we were glad that Khadi is amongst the most sought after fashion piece in our stores across India. “

“The cuts and styling like our Off-shoulder flowy dresses with anarkali cuts, layered tunics and short tops teamed up with dhoti-style pants were also instrumental in fashion consumers’ admiration for the fabric versatility. The khadi jumpsuit with floral patterns was striking and found instant appeal with all age groups,” adds Gaurang.

By bringing in a few changes like changing the count of the weave to make it more malleable and creating designs in vogue with current trends is what the designers of the day – making it one of the most preferred fabric on and off the ramp.