Dyeing for natural fabrics

Here is a designer collection that aims to promote sustainable living

Kamalini, the store by Crafts Council of Karnataka in Malleshwaram, presents an exhibition featuring designs by Bageeya from Delhi. Headed by designer Jigisha Shukla, Bageeya will be in the city with its latest designer collection of Maheshwari, Chanderi, linen saris, kala cotton dresses, linen shirts and Chanderi dupattas to name a few.

“Bageeya means a tiny garden. Just as the name suggests, I draw inspiration for my designs, prints and textures from gardens and nature. Even the printing is done with actual flowers and leaves,” says the designer, who works with her mentor and partner, Narayani Singh.

“The speciality with our collection this time is our reversible dresses in kala cotton,” adds Jigisha, who took to designing as she always had an inclination towards crafts and textiles and likes to work with material that is “raw and rustic”.

“I started experimenting right after college and started off Bageeya immediately after graduating from design school.”

About making designer wear more pocket friendly, Jigisha says, “I plan to bring my collection to the mainstream where every one can buy these clothes and not a select few. As of now, it is difficult to cut costs as we are not into bulk designs or productions and neither do we make replicas. The price range has always been a challenge when it comes to designing something unique, yet we try and make it as affordable as possible. Like we have reversible kimonos in Pashmina, which is priced at ₹6,000. These will last for ever and can be used as a simple party wear or for a grand wedding.”

She prefers using only natural dyes and shares that “it is a tedious process. To make it more cost friendly, we try and colour as many fabrics as possible with one dyeing process.” So far, her palette has natural dyes from flowers such as marigold, tesu, semal, rose, hibiscus, pomegranate peels, walnut, katha, indigo and she has used leaves of eucalyptus, papaya, rose petals and leaves for printing.

Jigisha is also on mission to “restore and encourage a sustainable lifestyle, where designs can be reused with the notion of ‘mend and lend’. Bageeya envisions to spread that idea of sustainability with affordability”.

Bageeya will be in the city on March 22 and 23 at Sri Bhooma, 17 Cross, Malleshwaram.