Designers must integrate fabrics from various regions: Krishna

Veteran designer Krishna Mehta who will showcase Manipuri weaving craft at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week, says designers need to take a keen interest in promoting newer markets by highlighting specialities indigenous to certain regions.
Mehta, in her initiative, has collaborated with the Manipur government's department of commerce and industries for the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013.
"It is an endeavour for giving platform to weavers. So with the help of little guidance I would like to be able to do better. I am giving my best shot and trying to open markets for them, I wish to open up their fabric to the country," Mehta told PTI in an interview here.

Mehta feels its the designers who need to take steps to tap a region and promote it in every possible way.
"If the designers don't do it then how the rest of the country will know that there is something like Manipur Handloom existing, or how to buy or use it. We need to open up as it is beautiful handloom sector. Or else if you don't work towards it then it will soon die...We should work and give this a boost and impetus," she said.
Manipur handloom has rarely been used so comprehensively by any big designer in the past and this is seen as a great platform to bring the handloom into mainstream fashion.

Mehta is set to play up the weaving technique of the state with her distinct creations at the forthcoming mega fashion event that kick starts from August 23 to 27.

"I have been working with weavers from across the country right from Banaras to Bhagalpur to Cochin to Andhra Pradesh.. this is one region I haven't touched. I have been working with them today and it I found it excessively interesting and unique," she said.
The ace designer will showcase a distinctive fusion line that has been especially crafted by weavers in Imphal.
"I am doing a very heavy couture collection...Its going to be a mix of women and men, my garments are Indo-western. It is going to be blend of various things. The colour story is going to be very bright, full of life with fuchsia, orange, emerald, indigo, red etc and that is how I saw Manipur and I see the collection," she added.