Usha Silai project makes debut at fashion week with aplomb

The Usha Silai project show was a grand innovative fashion concept that brought to centre stage the work of four top designers with the Usha Silai Clusters in different parts of India on day two of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2018.

Usha International, India's leading manufacturer of sewing machines, fans and home appliances, launched a curtain raiser of a sustainable fashion label "Usha Silai" in collaboration with IMG Reliance, through this powerful fashion forward initiativeA#ReimagineFashion.

The initiative aims to empower women in rural areas with skills and resources to create clothes and accessories that can be retailed in the urban fashion market.

'Label Usha Silai' created a platform that showcased the work of these local women from Usha Silai Schools in four identified creative hubs in Rajasthan, Bengal, Gujarat and Puducherry. The brand worked at several dimensions producing unique pieces that have the essence of the region. The collections will bear the credits of the rural women workers.

"We are delighted with the debut of label Usha Silai. The brand has created a platform that has the power to impact and change the lives of many. Making use of local stitching skills and modern techniques, we will create an umbrella that caters to sustainable fashion in a modern language. This is an initiative that commences at the very foundation and attempts to reach wider audience through various mediums including the Internet. I hope it will strengthen and grow over time," said Priya Somaiya, Executive Director, Usha Social Services.

Designer Soham Dave showcased a collection titled "The Black Machine" inspired by the Black Usha Machine for the Dholka cluster. The focus of the garments was created with surfaces and interesting textures on the black lock stitch machine.

Staying true to a basic colour story of only black and white with minute detailing, the sustainable designs and fabrics were ideal to be used for the black paddled machine.

Amit Vijaya and Richard Pandav for the Kaladhera cluster Rajasthan presented a design called "Rani'sthan". It was an ode to every woman who is a queen in her own right. Hence the Poshak worn by queens inspired the clothes but it was a modern deconstructed look at separates visualised by Amit Vijaya and Richard Pandav.

Sayantan Sarkar for 24 South Parganas Mastikari cluster in West Bengal showcased a collection called "The Girl From The Pages Of The Diary".

Wandering through the Usha Silai School, Sayantan's inspirations were fuelled by the visuals and encouraged him to use Khadi and linen blends along with batik prints that revealed the lush green foliage of the village

Lastly, Sreejith Jeevan for Puducherry cluster stylishly showcased "Window to the World". Bringing in box pleats and pin tucks to metaphor the window panes, Sreejith added fabric patches and quirky detailing to reveal his inspiration of windows, glass panels, which were seen in every window of the old French colony.

Opening with a black/white sari/blouse with 3D appliques, the show moved to a lungi matched with a top, and a mustard sheath topped with white bolero. Here was fashion at its most interesting best with intense detailing being in the forefront.

--IANS

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