For 'Hansiba' its eco-friendly

New Delhi, July 17 (UNI) 'Hansiba', the flagship brand of a prominent Gujarat women's self-help organisation, today unveiled its 19 exclusive herbal dyes and organic cotton based collection 'Varakh', saying it would preserve the traditional skills of rural artisans of the desert regions of Patan and Kutch in southern Gujarat.

This new collection of the SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre (STFC) is eco-friendly and the thread used for making the clothes is vegetable dyed. The embellishments are biodegradable, the organisation said.

The exlusive pieces ranged from black anarkali evening attire to a uniquely crafted mashruoo Persian blue corset, from a sensuous indigo blue dress to a hand painted kalamkari saree, from a quilted kalamkari coat to Ajarat design saree. The collection is available at Hansiba stores in New Delhi and Ahmedabad.

The collection highlighted the rich heritage of the rural women -- the exquisite hand embroideries, the minute and fine tie and dye.

It beautifully blended the traditional Gujarati embroideries with western attires making the collection stunning yet desirable and giving it an international feel.

Ecstatic with the collection, renowned fashion designer, Ritu Kumar said after unveiling the collection that ''I have been a follower of Hansiba creations and each style reflects an individual story. The garments made by the rural artisans have an exceptional style sense and rich colourful look that gives the entire range an impression of being made on the traditional work and values of Gujarat. The trendy handwork done with silk thread and mirror presenting calligraphic of the region will create a niche in the international fashion market.'' Speaking on the occasion, Reema Nanavaty, STFC chairperson noted ''we have been aiming to give direct income in the hands of the artisans who are the real owners of this (new) brand. In this manner, rural artisans will also benefit from India's economic growth.'' ''Our aim is to empower the rural artisans. We are working towards improving the quality of life and creating livelihood opportunities for them. Hansiba is a brand created by the artisans, they are the owners of the brand and the profits earned are spent on their betterment.All products are hand embroidered and hand crafted and 65 per cent of the sales go directly to these women.'' These rural designers not only design clothes, but also bags, apparals, accessories and home furnishing itmes.

'Hansiba', the brand of rural women artisans, is unique as the brand ensures livelihood security, access to education to girl children and addresses climate change issues. It has created a niche for itself by marrying age old embroidery techniques with modern designs and contemporary fashion.

It signifies the rich embroideries, the traditional skill and heritage of the rural women aritisans. The owners of Hansiba are these rural women artisans, who are the shareholders of the STFC.

Every Hansiba creation is painstakingly woven by them for whom craft is the only source of income and livelihood.

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