Krishna Mehta explores handloom textiles of Benaras

After successfully featuring the textile and craft of Gujarat and Manipur, designer Krishna Mehta showcased the weaving community of Varanasi or Benaras for her latest collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW).

Mehta's "The Magic Woven...by Krishna Mehta", saw tasteful designs and vibrant colour combinations on garments. Traditional buttis, bellas and phoolpatti, with prints, applique embellishments and embroidery techniques in the design celebrated the weaving legacy of Benaras, one of India's oldest textile centres.

"Being a textile weaver, I love textile collections. Last time my collection was on Manipur weaving, and I have also done collections of Pochampally in Andra Pradesh. This time I decided to do a collection with Benaras because the city is very famous for its handlooms. You can get the best cotton and silk in Benaras. Moreover after weaving, the textile is very versatile so I chose Benaras for my spring summer collection," the designer told IANS.

Mehta used printing and dyeing techniques from crafts and traditions across the world, juxtaposing them with vibrant handloom textiles.

"I have used Jaikart with extra yarn as a weaving technique and for texture I have used Shibori and Tie & Dye. I have constructed comfortable silhouettes and have used a whole spectrum of colours from pastel to bright, for instance, fresh mint and peach to bright reds and fuchsias," she said.

The collection line-up had elegant garments and accessories, in hand-woven fine cotton and silk Jamdanis, Kinkhabs, Tanchoi, and cutwork fabrics, created by using multiple innovative weaving techniques that complement the materials.

Mehta entered into an association with the government for this collection, and thanked the development commissioner for handlooms of the ministry of textiles of the government of India for support.

"I got a lot of help and support from the government of different states. They usually help me visit the best places and choose the right yarn, etc. The government also helps weavers to produce the textile of my choice, providing them yarn which is not easily available. I must say that the government has always made an immense contribution to putting my collection together," she said.

She added that Indian designers could do much more to promote traditional textile and handlooms.