In its second edition, this pioneering initiative has carved a niche on the global fashion map, with people willing to pay a price for 'handmade', translating into employment opportunities for weavers who have tirelessly worked for decades to uphold the legacy of our forefathers. Engaging leading designers to work with these weavers to build the brand 'Handmade in Rajasthan', the three-day event also featured a crafts village selling garments showcased on the runway alongside handmade jewelry, art and footwear — which took place at Diggi Palace in Jaipur. ''This is one of the best initiatives by the Rajasthan Government. Weavers will get out of the poverty line with dignity and provide better education and healthcare for future generations,'' revealed Bangladesh-based Bibi Russell, also former supermodel, iconic designer with a degree from London College of Fashion, 'one of 20 people to watch in the millennium in Asia' according to Asiaweek, and founder of Fashion For Development. Russell went to on to say, “The way these textiles were showcased will influence designers worldwide to use it in their collections, leading to the development of pockets of weaver clusters. In fact, I owe my wealth of knowledge and experience of textiles to craftspeople. I travelled to villages across the state and sat with them to understand the process which enabled me to experiment with colour, weight and design in my collections. There, I found a union of modern design and the culture and creativity of weavers residing in villages."
Bibi Russell
Paridhi Jaipuria