DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
“THERE ARE POSSIBILITIES OF CO-
CREATION AND COLLABORATION
OUTSIDE THE ACADEMIC
BOUNDARIES.”
“As a slow fashion label aiming
for sustainable livelihoods and
craft sustenance, we work with
indigenously grown cotton and silk
fibres, which are handmade, hand-
spun and handwoven in Mangalagiri,
Bhuj, and Maheshwar. We are also
moving towards organically grown
cotton fibres and natural dyes.
Sustainable livelihoods are ensured
to weavers who support their
families for a dignified living, without
displacing them from the villages
of India. As a mindful design label,
we celebrate the effort in producing
each piece of fabric, utilise it frugally,
and use the post-production waste
as upcycled trims and accessories.
We focus on the intrinsic beauty of
the fabric texture and use minimal
embellishment with fine detail to
bring out artisanal luxury in each
collection,” Vaibhavi elaborates.
90
I APPAREL I
June 2019
The label comprises 16–24 ensembles in
each collection with no colourways, and prices
range from R4,000–R16,000. The collections
are available on Vaibbhavi’s official website
(Viabbhavip.com), social media, and at pop-ups
and select multi-designer stores.
DESIGNER AND GUIDE
Although Vaibbhavi has moved from being an
educator to designer, her students consult her
and she guides them on their journey. “There
is enough room for all to tread their unique
path; there are possibilities of co-creation and
collaboration outside the academic boundaries
and in the professional domain, too, based on
individual expertise,” she says.
Vaibbhavi feels that living in Pune has been
an advantage. “Pune is an educational hub—it
has good weather, greenery, and an old-world
charm, yet has an urban lifestyle. It is a twin city
to bustling Mumbai and makes work-related
networking possible. Pune is gradually warming
up to fashion and is ideal for slow-getters.”