Sangeeta Kilachand has been reviving generationalcrafts by reshaping their identities and narratives for anurban audience. Inspired by India’s deep rooted textiletraditions, with an aim to restore and reimagine the glory offorgotten crafts, testaments to which are immortalized atthe Calico Museum, Ahmedabad and Victoria & Albert,London.
Since its inception, the revival of the Marodi has beenintegral to the journey. Soaked in the glory ofIndias royal past, Marodi is an exquisite embroidery,indigenous to the regions of Kutch and Bhuj in Gujarat.Much of Sangeeta Kilachands collection of antique textileswere embellished by the Marodi embroidery, inspiring her toreinstate its relevance and give Marodi the attention itdeserved. The studios design sensibilities have thereforenaturally stemmed from Sangeeta’s sartorial style, furtherenhanced by years of dedicated research on thetechniques and nuances of traditional Indian craftsmanshipand the textile industry in India.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, shoe makers and cobblersturned embroiders for the royal court in Kutch leading tothe invention of Marodi, an intricate embroidery using zari (ametallic gold thread) and a cobbler stitch.
Every step in the execution of Marodi is handcrafted, rightfrom the first step of warping six gold or silver fibres tomake the thread used to embellish luxurious fabrics with theembroidery. Reels of these fill a basket at the workshop,ready to be used by the karigars each day. For every outfit,the karigar begins by affixing the unstitched cloth, whichcould range from a Rai Bandhej to a Leheriya or Patolaamong other fabrics, on a wooden cot for it to remain intactwhile he makes an intricate artwork using a variety ofsequins and the marodi thread. It’s almost magical to see athin twisted thread stay firm through the entire process inthe absence of any knots. But these are sturdy metallicthreads, twisted by experienced professionals, who havebeen practicing this craft for over two decades now. Theembroidery follows a traced design transferred onto thefabric using a paste. Very often, the works we produce arefurther embellished by gotas, french knots and numerousother elements that blend traditions together.
Stores we retail at :
Aashni and co. London
Pernia pop up stores
Aura (Raipur / Nagpur)
Elahe (Hyderabad )
Deval Multi Designer store ( Ahemdabad)
Aza Fashions
