Why Artisan Fabrics?
What can you expect from Avni’s Artisan Fabrics?
The Philosophy
Avni focuses on offering fashion collections that are environmentally responsible and support the centuries-old artisan cottage fabric-making industry in India. All Avni designs are crafted from fabrics that are commissioned exclusively by Avni. These fabrics are hand-made, utilizing customs that are hundreds of years old and uphold the tradition and history of India’s celebrated artisans. By requisitioning these fabrics, Avni not only helps maintain economic stability for artists, but also helps keep these ancient arts alive. All fabrics are 100% hand-dyed and woven by individual artists.
The practices of Avni’s artisans include:
Bandhani. Bandhani, one of the oldest known methods of tie-dyeing, is still widely practiced in western India today. The fabric is made by pinching very small portions of cloth and tying them to form an intricate pattern of dots. The cloth is then placed into different dye vats to form bright and beautiful colors. Avni secures this particular fabric from artisans in the western province of Bhuj Gujarat.
Hand Woven Fabric. In India there are 22 million handlooms that support the livelihood of countless people. Avni’s goal is to keep this dying craft alive by creating contemporary silhouettes using hand woven wool from Kutch and Gujarat, and hand woven silk from Bhagalpur, Bihar.
Kantha Embroidery. “Kantha” means story telling, and it originated long ago in Dhaka, Bangladesh. There, a young woman pining for her loved one decided to express her story using running stitch to sew together old clothes and create beautiful blankets. In recent times, the typical running stitch has been used to create a variety of complex motifs. Avni brings Kantha fabrics by artisans from Bolpur, West Bengal.
Natural Dyes. The dyes used in Avni creations are chemically free, using herbs and plants to create colors. Avni’s naturally dyed fabrics are created by urban artisans from Mumbai, who
use their talents to create the environmentally friendly fabrics.