January 2020 Edition Apparel January 2020 issue | Page 70

BRAND PROFILE Looms of Legacy Having turned 45 last year, Vimor Handloom Foundation is driven by art, culture, and handloom enthusiasts. Bindu Gopal Rao chronicles the enterprise’s journey. Established in 1974 by mother-daughter duo Chimy Nanjappa and Pavithra Muddaya, Vimor is involved in research, design, and conservation of handlooms and weaving traditions across India. As a charitable foundation, Vimor also works in close collaboration with weavers to enhance their artistic capacity and empower them as entrepreneurs as integral parts of the industry. In fact, it recently launched the Museum of Living Textiles in an attempt to showcase ancient, forgotten weaves and work as a platform for sari enthusiasts to connect with weavers. In a bid to take Karnataka and the country back to its days of handloom glory, Vimor is spreading awareness about not just preserving the handloom, but 68 I APPAREL I January 2020