This project was done for the subject Craft Based Product Development- a subject that focused on bringing about innovation into the traditional Indian textiles.
We worked on the woven textiles of Kullu region, in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh to create a men's street-wear collection having jackets, cover ups, pyjamas, pants, footwear and bags using the Kullu handwoven textiles.
We went on a week long field trip to Kullu, to learn and document the know-hows of the craft and to study the culture and formulate product diversification strategies for increasing the outreach of the craft so as to empower the artisan community by bridging the gap between the rural and the urban centres.
The following is a gist of our study of Kullu and its woven textiles.
The study of the Gaddi tribe is taken from our previous craft cluster trip to Chamba-Bharmour.
Since we were focusing on the traditional textiles, crafts and culture of Himachal Pradesh, we have incorporated elements from Gaddi costumes like the printed linings that are used in wedding costumes.
The garment that I created.
The cover up jacket is made from a Kullu pattu, lined with a printed fabric sourced from Gaddi costumes, along with a fur lining on the front and the hem.
The pyjama pants is made from a chadru, which is a handwoven woolen drape used by the menfolk of Himachal in winters.
The garments range.
The Jury display.
Research, content write-up and 1 ensemble (Pattu over coat, woolen pyjamas) - Pratyush Bharadwaj (me)
