"They will go round India and maybe around the world, and finally, I will donate it to a museum that can take care of them," shares the artist.Geeta decided to explore the royal men’s wardrobe exclusively, because she feels women’s costume has been explored enough.—The exhibition is ongoing at Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum until October 28.When textile artist Geeta Khandelwal got bored of making quilts, which she has been doing for the last 40 years, she opens a book titled Indian Costumes In the Collection Of the Calico Museum Of Textiles and got inspired by the costumes worn by the Maharajas of India in the 19th century. "I haven’t planned anything; it depends on what fabrics are available. But most of them are there in my treasure trove at home because I’m a collector… maybe I’ll do some Japanese costumes," she concludes with a smile.The artist, who spent three years creating the exclusive collection, hand-stitched most of the costumes, paying close attention to the pattern and hemming. Geeta then decided to make miniature versions of them to scale. "This is from the 1850s to the 1950s, India is very rich in woven textiles, in hand block, printed textiles, in cotton, in silk, in brocade, jamadar, mashru."After the first exhibition in Mumbai, Geeta plans to showcase it at more exhibitions in India and abroad.Geeta was inspired by the variety of fabric used in the Maharajas’ costumes. Since I like making garments and have a feel for textile, I started to make men’s garment in miniature through scale.

So the Maharajas of India patronised some of these weavers to make their everyday wear aka choga, or angrakha for the festive occasions," says the artist, adding that she sourced fabric from local weavers to get the authentic fabric and print to match to those worn by the Maharajas. We’ve kept to that style of working.While some garments are hand-stitched to stay true to the original style of the Maharajas, others, which were influenced by the British, were not. "Women’s costumes have been made by many designers all over India, and sold for wedding trousseau and festive collections for very high expensive prices, using our karigars and our skilled artisans to make them," she opines. It was a challenge for me, because I started a new trend of giving tribute to the historical costumes of Maharajas, but at the age of 75" says the artist. "I started to make miniature garments only for men because men and Maharajas were in the forefront in those years, they were the ones who were exposed and shown to the public," she adds. When asked about the challenged she faced, Geeta says: "The most difficult part is putting on the sleeves and the collar in tiny stitches, which could be six stitches to one inch because those days no machines were used.As a textile enthusiast, Geeta collects fabrics from local weavers on her travels and has stored them safely. However, she isn’t sure if they will feature in her collections. It was easier for me to make them," she says. "I was quite bored of making quilts, and one day I thought I should make something different. The 80-year-old reveals that her secret to having patience in creating these tiny costumes is, "Because I live alone, and it’s a passion, I love stitching and it’s an integral part of my life to stitch. She two way stretch fabric also added knob buttons, tassels and embellishments. No tailor was willing to make such tiny garments because his fingers won’t fit into the sleeves, and they were asking too much money

"The hashtag is helping to make cotton fashionable, which is a mass product. So, it is only right that the government promotes it like they encourage the IT industry as well."Designer Rahul Mishra says that such initiatives help to make people realise the importance of cotton, a fabric which gets used everywhere, from a person’s birth to his last rites. Harinder Singh, owner of 1469, an apparel shop in Connaught Place, says, "The business might not come immediately as there needs to be awareness first.On Tuesday morning, Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani created a wave of sorts, not a remotely controversial one, of course. This initiative will make cotton popular.Minister of Textiles Smriti IraniAmong the first few to tweet a picture with China Nylon Polyester stretch ManufacturersCottonIsCool was Sunil Sethi, the president of the Fashion Design Council Of India (FDCI). The Mayor comes readily forward to promote it. But do all these initiatives mean anything on the ground? The industry people answer. Similarly, in a country like France where fashion is much bigger than any other industry, the fashion weeks are able to generate billions of dollars within just one week there."Vineet Chhajer, director, Vineet Sarees echoes similar sentiments: "Cotton # and Indian summers are interlinked. "In India, cotton contributes a lot, in terms of earning revenue and generating employment.". Looking at the cotton industry at large, cotton contributes a lot to our GDP. Such initiative is a great news for people like us who deal in cotton wear. "Cotton is something that we use every day. But in reality, it is more about the realisation and awareness about of the importance of cotton in our daily lives and how cool it actually is," he says, adding that the campaign also helps make people realise that cotton can also be considered as a luxurious fabric.This is, however, not the first time Irani has done something like this. People will now think of it as a fabric that they can wear in shaadis," she says and adds, "Cotton is a suitable fabric in a country where there are almost 10 months of summer. When the government promotes indigenous weavers and farmers, it creates an impact towards the demand of the product and also boosts a sense of appreciation towards the fabric. It depends on how many people are affected by a particular industry," says Rahul. Promoting the fabric will also help boost its contribution to agriculture (production) as well. Last year in August, barely after a week of joining as the Textile Minister, her #IWearHandloom took the social media by storm. It is for the classes and the masses. Actress Kirron KherNot just the fashion designers, even the shop owners feel that the impact of such initiatives doesn’t just remain limited to social media but trickle down to the day-to-day business too. People wear polyester cotton as it has a better finish. We must take great pride in such facts. We are not only encouraging handloom but also showcasing power loom and they both need the government’s support. Explaining the impact of such initiatives, he says, "When the #IWearHandloom initiative clicked, there was a revival of handloom and it generated business for the weavers. Even at the Eiffel Tower, ‘Paris loves fashion’ is often displayed. The campaign might look symbolic on the face. Once the awareness spreads, the business of cotton will also grow. She began it all by tweeting "I celebrate Indian summers and cotton industry with my #CottonIsCool look.Boxer Vijender SinghDesigner Anju Modi seconds Mishra and says that the campaign might help change the mindset of people that cotton can’t be worn in weddings or any grandeur occasions. Cotton is a natural fabric that is used to as a gamcha by the poor farmer or a towel by powerful bureaucrats and so on. The TV star-turned-politician got the Twitterati engaged in a game of posting pictures — one where they are wearing cotton clothes and asked them to tag their friends to continue the chain. What is your #CottonIsCool look?!" As a result, within a matter of few hours not only common people even celebs like Virender Sehwag, Vijender Singh, Amish Tripathi, Kirron Kher and Hema Malini began posting their pictures with the #CottonIsCool."Rahul says that governments in many other countries start such initiatives but in India it has more prominence because of the (fashion) industry’s contribution to the economy. Only someone who really appreciates a pure cotton (clothing) will buy it. We are of one the largest cotton producing and cotton wearing countries in the world, and most Indians don’t know that

"Loose fits for menRedefining the style quotient is not just limited to women, men too are opting for comfort.Outfit by designer NikashaSummer HuesSummer is always about keeping it light. "I feel that at least if new designers start making their labels on the basis of nature-friendly textiles then our industry will move in a better direction. Jain feels designers need to reinvent shapes and styles each season. But every change takes time, so even in the textile development there is work going on to make textile more fluid," he adds.Adding to it Prem Dewan, retail head, OSL Luxury Collections Pvt. Ltd Corneliani, feels that people often forget that fit is relative to the wearer. Our philosophy is to use fabrics and processes that are ecologically sensitive and empower the artisans," says Deepshikha Khanna, head, apparel strategy and product development, Good Earth India. As a designer, we incorporated these demands into my Autumn/Winter Collection’18 titled Bandi, by merging stylish sleeves and asymmetrical cuts, creating an array of options from maxi dresses which could also be used as comfort gowns to oversized night-out options for any age group," says Shroff, who strongly believes that today’s youth wants to invest in good quality long-term fashion wear, something that they not only wear today but also use after a few years with the whole sneaker trend coming into vogue. For Parekh, this summer is all about vibrant hues like red and brown to soft colours like pastel pink and lavender. And this works as a deciphering factor of what textile to use. "They are more comfortable across different seasons and lend a femininity to the female form. Skirts and dresses were usually short and even provocative, when the 2000s kicked off, the fashion was profoundly influenced by technology. "If a drape is required then fluidity and weight are required.Talking about the spurt in popularity, designer Payal Jain says, "The primary cause is to accommodate the concerns of women whose bodies are changing with time. "Comfort wear is re-defining today’s fashion industry. "It allows the customers to experiment with different lengths, necklines, fits, styles and drapes — that truly is what fashion is about," says Jain. That is why bespoke suit is always a better option than a readymade one as both the designer and fabric understands the body and tailors it in accordance to your comfort," shares Saggar Mehra, creative director at Sunil Mehra. The ‘anti-fit’ shapes give you the much-needed breather for occasions when you want to be more relaxed and at ease while making you feel comfortable with your body and shape.Outfits by Pooja ShroffNature-friendly textilesEvery designer has his or her own aesthetics, inspirations and signature looks.Jain also feels that fluid fabrics have a better drape and are more flattering on the female form."The trend, a few years ago, was all about shift dresses, bodycons and bandage dresses but over the years customers have been coming and requesting for stylish drapes, butterfly sleeves and multipurpose comfort wear. Mod styled dresses with short skirts and bold, colourful patterns became popular."Outfit by designer Payal JainWomen across borders are rejecting the stereotypical idea of fashion for women. In the 1990s, skirts and dresses were not as prominent and more casual looks became acceptable with hip-hop and alternative music setting the scene for fashion early in the decade.Designer Sumona Parekh finds it amazing to see how different events in history have influenced and changed the way people have dressed throughout time. Shroff says, "Pop colours like purple, cobalt blue and onion pink are a big hit this season and vibrant colours can be worn for a day out with your friends and without a doubt can be carried as an office wear, while continuing the look for the party later in the night. I feel that clothes with a little more give and can actually elevate a look, and give it a level of sophistication and ease that is seldom achieved by garments that hug the body," he says. Dresses in the decade would often feature stylish ruffles or lace accents and were usually knee-length or tea-length. "For spring-summer I have used colours such as apple green, icy blue, peach, ivory and some vibrant shades such as fuchsia, emerald green and tomato red.. "More women these days are working and they need to wear something which is comfortable and easy to move around. No one wants tight fits and body-hugging silhouettes all the time as they make you more conscious of your body and also tend to be less comfortable. "With the international acceptance of all body types and shapes along with campaigns like ‘I’m perfect,’ it is high time that we as Indians also stop chasing the size zero body type and celebrate womanhood by making each one of us feel comfortable in our own skin and confident in our flight.

The reinventing of the fashion industry in recent years is driven by a combination of comfort and anti-fit wear. It’s always better to wear loose fitting rather than body-hugging clothes. "Pastel and soft neutral colours work best for summers. Hence, we designers have started creating a-structured dresses which not only feel good this summer but also help your skin breathe — they make for perfect day and night looks promoting body positivity," shares designer Pooja Shroff, who strongly believes that to look fashionable one needs to feel confident and to feel confident you need to be comfortable and your garment needs to fit you like a sleeve and vice-versa. "It’s about the touch and feel of the fabric against your body."But Gupta has his own selection of colours this summer. "Fashion dictates personality. True style comes from wearing what’s best for you. Satin was created to embody timeless style rooted in the textiles traditions of India. "There is no holy grail cut of shirt, pant or suit that will work perfectly for everyone. Shades like sky blue, lighter green hues, orchid are soft and give a fresh vibe. "Altering your body to fit a garment may last momentarily but to stay fashionable lifelong, altering the garment to your body type only seems a deemed fit," she adds. Long gone are the days of short dresses and tight waist belts, easy-breezy silhouettes with multi-layering approach accessorised with chic crossbody bags is a very stylish yet young look that we as designers suggest our young buyers to sport," she adds. How absorbent, practical and fluid the fabric is. ‘Anti-fit’ dresses have been a trend for sometime but are truly gaining momentum now. We avoid using vivid and dark colours during summers," shares Mehra.But these are not the sole reasons behind the growing trend of loose fits, designer Gautam Gupta feels the growing number of working women has also made a difference. Dresses which accentuate the shape of one’s body are giving way to loose fit silhouettes making style synonymous with comfort. "These colours are dominating clothes collections right now. Just like the fabric and style differs from designer to designer, so does the choice of colours. In fact, we did an entire summer collection with Liva whose fabrics are made of eco-friendly fibres and are known for their fluidity," she adds. We keep on incorporating such fabrics in our collection.Like women, men too have various shades to look forward to. As menswear becomes increasingly casual, a trend fuelled largely by the rise of streetwear aesthetics in high-fashion, a shift towards relaxed fit garments is gaining steam.In clothing, textile will always be driven by shape. As we entered the 80s, fashion evolved once more, skirts and dresses were once again longer and featured straight lines and more serious design. Fashion is often described as being a global mash-up, where trends saw the fusion of previous vintage styles, global and ethnic clothing," says Parekh. Also, the love for handmade and sustainable fabrics is increasing and these fabrics are not very drape-friendly and look better with straight silhouettes," shares Gupta. And going with the trend and donning attires that don’t match your personality makes you lose China polyester heather effect stretch fabric Factory your own identity. I personally love working with natural yarns and textiles and lean more towards fabrics that are fluid and drape beautifully," shw shares. We are also currently experimenting with purple, lavender, rapture rose, military green, yellow and milky white," says Parekh. Also, it feels good to have people around you in pop colours amidst the cliché summer light colours."It’s the breathable fabrics that play a major role in making the outfits comfortable," shares Shreyasi Pathak, stylist, Vajor. However, Gupta is sure that many are realising the need for using nature-friendly textiles and are working towards promoting it. Going into the late fifties and 1960s mini-dresses and maxi-length skirt outfits entered the scene.Pop colours are also among the must-haves in your wardrobe.Trends Shaping The Indian Apparel IndustrySome classic silhouettes have remained constant over the years but fashion is about constant change and evolution. "With the economic boom in the 1950s, glamour becomes fashionable, and A-line and pencil skirts were very popular form-fitting fashions

2 crore."Meanwhile, the second phase of the project Wholesale Nylon Polyester stretch Manufacturers includes construction of a textile museum with textile galleries, exhibition spaces, display of generations of mill workers, machines and other historical aspects. The request for proposal (RFP) will soon be sought from bidders to set up the show. We need technical expertise for this. Phase one includes beautification and landscaping around a lake inside the compound; setting up of an exhibition centre; and a multipurpose plaza with art stalls, murals depicting a bygone era, and a cafeteria. The official said, "The project will be kick-started in the next four to five months. The estimated cost of these works is around Rs 6. The project aims to archive the city’s textile mills’ culture. As a tribute to Mumbai’s glorious textile past, the BMC has decided to construct a textile museum at the defunct India United Mill compound in Kalachowki. School of Arts have prepared designs for the show showcasing the old days of the Girangaon culture.According to civic officials, BMC floated tenders for the first phase of the project a couple of days ago and selected one Sawani Constructions, which emerged as the lowest bidder. Works on the first phase will be carried out across an area of 10,000 square metre in the mill premises.Mumbai: With the bidder having been finalised for the first phase of the project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally kick-started the ambitious Textile Museum Project, which will showcase the once prosperous textile industry in the city. A senior official from the civic heritage department said, "Students of the J. The textile museum will cover an area of 44,000 square metre at the India United Mill compound.J.".The BMC also plans to start a light-and-music laser show, for which a separate tender will be issued within a fortnight