Bhabanipatana: Fashion designer Sujit Meher has been selected to showcase Odisha’s Habaspuri silk on the global stage. The internationally-acclaimed designer will present his signature collection at the London Fashion Week. It will be the first time that the state’s traditional handloom, identified as one of the 14 Geographical Indications of Odisha, will be presented at the global fashion event.
The Bhulia weavers of Chicheguda from Kalahandi district are known for weaving of the Habaspuri fabric, which is cotton-based handloom. Meher is a native of Chicheguda. The event will be held at Novotel London Hammersmith between November 21 and 22. Meher will represent India with a special collection of these saris under his label, ‘Tilottama’.
He has been working to revive Sambalpuri and Habaspuri textiles. ‘Tilottama’ has created sustainable livelihood opportunities for hundreds of weavers and artisans. In an recent interview to an English daily, the designer revealed that he weaves social cause into the threads of his design. He also said how he combines heritage craftsmanship with modern silhouettes.
The Habaspuri handloom was originally woven by the Kandha Tribe during the nineteenth century. When dynastic rule ended, tribal people stopped making saris. But the sari was revived by a weaver, Ugrasen Meher, in Chicheguda.
Crafted through the tie-dye technique and motifs, it features motifs like kumbha (temple), fish, flowers, turtle and other art works from the region.