India is all set to launch traditional handloom and khadi products with a new look in overseas markets. The textile ministry has decided to develop two sites in Noida and South Delhi as fashion marts where home decor, handloom products and traditional khadi products will be showcased.
While the project has already been cleared by the Planning Commission and is awaiting land allotment by Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Noida Authority has earmarked land in Sector 125 to develop an international Home Deco Park. The proposed sites will have production houses, design studios and R&D laboratries where the capabilities in the areas will be on display. The emphasis will on large-scale production that is cost-effective with consisent quality.
“This has been done as Indian handloom products are fast gaining popularity among Europe’s fashionistas. London fashion Week which began on September 15 featured made in India handloom textiles and accessaries. The products were displayed by 14 leading designers from the country led by Rohit Bal and Rajesh Pratap Singh from the country,” a senior official in the textile ministry told FE.
The lead has been taken by a London-based Conran Shop- a leading fashion store who selected 14 Indian designers to promote handloom products from India in their showrooms in London, Paris, New York and Tokyo.
“The ministry has also supported the London event as the Handloom industry is not only an industry but represents Indian cultural heritage also, the designers will definitely play an important role in the promotion of country’s capabilities in handloom textiles” he added.
“The sector has also attrcted a large number of designers recently, the offical added saying that international stores such as Krate and Barale hav been marketing handloom products made by Indian designers”.
The country has registered a Rs 1000 crore exports this year. The sector has more possibilites provided we focus on latest designs and finish.
Develpment Commissioner (Handlooms), Sanjay Aggarwal said, “the domestic handllom sector employs about 65 lakh persons directly and more than one crore indirectly. The industry is the second largest labour intensive after agriculture and has 15 % share in the total textile production. Presently, the country has 32.5 lakh handlooms.
