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| Designs made with recycled sari fabrics. Models are from Dynasty models |
Questions our designer was asked by the Peabody Essex Museum for the class
that will be running in Jan/Feb 2014.
1. What got you into working with recycled clothing?
My travels to India took me into the closets of my mother, mother in law
and various aunts. They had hundreds of saris ( 5 yards of fabric that Indian
women wear wrapped around them as a garment). The fabrics were exquisite. All
cottons, silks and some with borders hand woven by craftsmen in real gold or
silver. Hand dyed. Hand printed and often hand woven. Each was unique. Many were
at least 40- 50 years old. They all wanted me to take the saris away and do
something with them. They were not wearing them anymore or they were too old and
needed to be cut out to save them. I started designing cocktail and summer
dresses for my clients who wanted one of a kind pieces. Soon I was designing
bridesmaids and wedding dresses for women in the Boston area. The fusion of
eastern fabrics and western silhouettes appealed to a lot of my clients. Some
started coming to me with saris that their parents had given them. That's how
the idea has grown.
2. How do designs turn out more original and interesting,
would you say, because of the use of recycled
clothing?
Recycling
or Up-cycling clothing and fabrics are great way to make something old, new
again. It has been done for centuries, in most cultures. But the idea is now
enjoying the attention of designers and consumers as it is also something that
makes an article of clothing unique. You will never find it in a mall. It is
also environmentally friendly. Instead of throwing out old clothes and fabrics
and buying new things, we are re-imagining a beautiful piece of fabric, a trim
or an accessory in another form. For example, an old trim from a dress can be
made into a new pillow cover to accent a sofa. There has been a renewed interest
in items that are hand made, or locally made or designed, in recent
years.
3.
Where is the best place for people to find good clothing to work
with?
Thift
shops, hand me downs from friends or family and your own closet (items that you
have loved but are old fashioned or don't fit right any more). Fabric shops that
are giving away small pieces of fabrics and trims for a very nominal price as
they don't have stock in them.
4. What can participants expect to learn in these classes with you?
My strength lies in fashion design, illustration and creating something new
from something old! We will start with some items that the participant will
bring to class, either an old dress or fabric. We will think about how to
recreate something else- either a garment or an accessory with it. We will
sketch out the idea. We will then take a pair of scissors and some pins and
create something new. The participant does not need to know how to use a sewing
machine. They can hand sew items and then sew them later at home on a
machine.
5. What has it been like to work with
MIT students who turn trash into wearable fashion?
I have been invited by the MIT students to be a judge for a show called
"Trashion" that they host every year. I enjoy being part of the student
community as it keeps me in touch with the amazing creativity that these
students bring to the table. There were cocktail dresses made from soda cans,
wedding dresses from shower curtains and some other beautiful creations! I have
also seen presentations by some students at MIT that are working with wearable
technology. Fashion is an ever-changing and trend-setting field. Learning to
create a sustainable business has been a very exciting journey for
me.
6. Do you think this DIY approach is
becoming more popular? It's popularity tends to cycle over the decades. Why do
you think that is?
People want things that are unique and hand made today. We are steeped in
technology and mass produced product in everyday work and home life. I think we
crave different things, that set us apart in terms of our clothing and decor.
Luxurious fabrics and trims have made a come back. Things made in small lots
e.g. pottery or couture clothing. Making something unique has always satisfied
us on many levels. We save the environment from more things we would normally
throw out, we use our creative skills and make something new. We make it here in
our homes or studios. It's all part of the hand made experience.
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| Here are 3 photos of my designs made with recycled sari fabrics. Models are from Dynasty models. |
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| Models are from Dynasty models |
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| Sorboni Banerjee from Fox 25 news- she is the news anchor. I designed her entire wedding party. The dress she is wearing is made from a hand woven silk scarf from Bengal, India. |
