Latest news with #AshdeenLilaowala
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
National Textile Day: A nod to textile from designers
There's a story behind each thread of a handcrafted weave. On National Textile Day today, designers talk about how vital textile design has become to their creative process — and why you shouldn't confuse it with fashion design. While the two are separate aspects, textile designer Ashdeen Lilaowala finds that in this day and age, fashion and textiles are integrated into each other: 'I use both to create a cohesive product, not separate items. We use textiles to create fashion; sometimes even fashion inspires the creation of a certain textile.' While designer Ateev Anand sees a clear distinction between the two, he tells us that the fabrics heavily inspire the way he creates clothing. 'During my creative process, I always go back to see why something was developed — that sort of sets the path for me,' he explains. Designer Gautam Gupta agrees with this sentiment. 'Today, we see textile and fashion designers working in each other's areas for aesthetic differentiation. I create our handloom fabrics per our vision of the collection,' he shares. Meanwhile, Anuradha Dhawan emphasises how an understanding of textiles helps further slow, sustainable fashion. 'Repurposing extends textile lifespan, in turn promoting a sustainable approach to consumption and production,' says the designer, who tells us that even discarded threads and fabric are of great value to her. As Ateev puts it, 'We owe [our process] to the weaves; they guide our work and what we do.' According to designer Vidhi Singhania, textile and fashion are very close but also very diverse, as one focuses on the fit, fall, and silhouettes of the garment, while the other focuses on the design, patterns and the finishing of the fabric. 'As a textile designer, 30 years of my life have gone into making a handloom product from ordinary to extraordinary. One is trying to contemporise the existing product, improve and give it a platform. So, I think my passion lies in textiles,' she explains.
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
When the Sari Meets the Kimono
Summer is here and if you're looking for the perfect prints that blend timeless tradition with global appeal, Floralista brings the perfect prints that take centre stage, with a monsoon bloom. Renowned for reviving the Parsi Gara embroidery tradition, designer Ashdeen Lilaowala is best known for intricately hand-embroidered saris that speak of heirloom elegance. Parsi Gara embroidery, with its heritage-rich roots and meticulous craftsmanship, has long stood as a symbol of cultural legacy—where each thread spins a story of tradition, artistry, and time-honoured brand now reimagines its signature aesthetic for the Spring-Summer 2025. This season, embroidery takes a graceful step back, allowing vibrant prints to lead the narrative, offering a lighter, more contemporary take on timeless elegance. A graduate of the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, Lilaowala began his journey in textiles as a researcher with the Ministry of Textiles and UNESCO's Parzor Foundation. His deep dive into the cultural richness of Parsi embroidery led to the publication of Threads of Continuity – The Zoroastrian Craft of Kusti Weaving (Parzor, 2013), a book that explores the symbolic essence of this time-honoured craft. This collection pairs the floral saris with lightweight kimonos and styling accents inspired by Japanese minimalism, creating a global dialogue in design. Yet, even with its cross-cultural appeal, the soul of the sari remains Indian. Floralista is now available at Ashdeen ateliers in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad and for shoppers across the globe, the collection is also available online. Excerpts from the conversation with the designer:
