Khadi Fashion Show: Here’s how Khadi will get modernity with 60 new designs

New Delhi: The essence of simplicity, purity and consistency of Khadi was showcased through Khadi Fashion Show organized by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi. Organized by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) led by renowned designer and KVIC consultant Sunil Sethi, the fashion show showcased 60 designs by 10 budding fashion designers who were selected through All India Khadi Designers Competition organized by KVIC . The first 3 designers were also felicitated on the occasion.

Designer Swati Kapoor received the first prize with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh for portraying Khadi as one of the most ethical and sustainable fabrics. The collection was inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 19th-century poem “Kubla Khan”. He used fine khadi muslin fabric in plain and self check with block printing, hand crochet and hand embroidery and other types of fabric manipulation.

Designer Dhruv Singh was declared the second runner up with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. His collection named Anarbagh is inspired by Krishna’s dance with his devotees/lovers on the full moon night in the month of Kartik. His idea was to give Khadi a bit of a festive look by creating outfits that give the body the feel of wearing fashionable clothes with comfort and ease. She used plain khadi cotton fabric and the designs on all the dresses are completely hand embroidered by artisans from Bengal and Gujarat, using 6 strings of pure zari twisted by hand.

Two designers, Kaushal Singh and Gaurav Singh won the third prize of Rs 2 lakh each. Kaushal used plain weave khadi and blue khadi denim. The print artwork was created by fine artists, converted to screen and printed on fabric. Designer Gaurav also used khadi cotton fabric using zero waste design technique and contrast stitch line detailing.

The All India Khadi Designers Competition was organized to introduce new design interventions and add a modern twist to Khadi. KVIC received 393 nominations from young fashion designers across the country. A screening committee consisting of fashion designers, experts from design institutes and top officials of KVIC was constituted to shortlist the 10 best designers. The top 3 designers were selected during the show by the jury.

Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena, Chairman, KVIC said that the clothing designed by these contestants will soon be made available as designer wear at Khadi India outlets. The idea is to attract the younger generation to Khadi with fabrics that are comfortable, easy to wear and trendy.