Dastkar Haats are always about interacting with artisans trying to keep their crafts alive by adapting to contemporary taste. Buyers learn about crafts that are unique to a region and help the artisans sustain themselves by making purchases. However, the current Design Fair being organised at the Nature Bazaar in Andheria Modh here is a bit different.
The fair connects buyers directly with jewellery, textile and décor designers who have adapted crafts in contemporary styles. The new ideas and designs from these creative minds have helped give a new lease of life to artisans struggling to sell their crafts as designs have not evolved for decades.
The event, organised in partnership with Delhi Tourism, has many items up for grabs, including stoles, jackets, accessories and garments made from recycled textiles; jewellery made using ancient techniques interpreted in modern designs; innovate block-printing techniques; and new motifs and graphic designs that are executed on the looms of traditional handloom weavers.
Many of the stalls are a result of a design intervention project by the National Institute of Design or other notable designers who have helped craftsmen make their products more appealing to the customer.
Chhandak Jana, a fashion designer based in West Bengal who is participating in the fair, says he has used motifs inspired by Madhubani paintings and new block print designs on his clothes.
“The problem was that there were very limited motifs and block print designs. Although people liked the style, they did not purchase more as two garments would look similar. Now that I have used new motifs, people will have a lot more to choose from,” he adds.
Another stall set up by Amanda Brown sells poly-fill duvets for kids’ bedrooms. During her quest to find decent bed furnishings for her kid’s room Amanda came across very limited and expensive options. So she took a trip to Jaipur, met with block-print artisans and came up with a line that is moderately-priced and safe for kids.
“Many kids in the city develop allergies due to the dust around. Therefore, it is very important to choose materials that do not attract dust,” she says.
Apart from the usual pinks and blues, she has come up with line of gender neutral colours like mauve, yellow, green and orange for parents fed-up with pinks and blues.
The exhibition is on till January 27 at Nature Bazaar, Kisan Haat, Andheria Modh, opposite Chhatarpur Metro Station, Delhi.
