Weaving in Shastri Nagar was an amazing experience ...

To learn about how they weave on such a large scale, their working conditions, how their skills are not appreciated by the costs of production etc.

This has made me want to progress into this industry, work with disadvantaged weaving communities to produce amazingly beautiful textiles, using the skill of these weavers and pay them a fair wages for the production and to in hope inform people about where the cloth comes from and provide amazing products.

Yet for me the first steps are to learn from internships about the industry, how it all works, whats can the influences be, and where to go with this all. So here I will keep updating my findings and any research I find to be interesting, and updating on previous work done and collections I have produced.

Returning from india

Well after being home, and sorting through all my photos I thought it was time to share some of my experiences and photos from the project and time in india, as I couldnt upload pictures when i was out there!!

This photo shows the man that wove my final piece, and the loom that he used. It only had 4 shafts so i couldnt do any crazy patterns, but it was a great experience to co-ordinate my own work to be woven by someone else! Taking a step back from it, and learning how the industry works in India, and how to communicate using very simple english, and the use of hand jestures and movements works a treat!!

I had a great experience there, some times stress ful but the rest of the time rewarding!! Thank you to all the weavers in Bharat Nagar, Bunka/ Weaving Colony!!!

Post Global Arts Village ...

Out of the beautiful surroundings and thrown into Delhi and its delights!! all settled in and pushing through with our work!!
Decided instead of weaving my little arms off!! that i would use the highly talented Indian weavers to produce my woven cloth!! so found a weaving colony and after long chats and warping debates, finally came to an agreement that they could make up my warp!!!YAY!!
So going back next week to sample with them and hopefully create the Shared Talent Indian Bespoke Tartan, multi functional, emotionally durable piece of organic cotton and tussar silk cloth!!(ohh what a mouthful!!)
So having a bit more of a relaxing time, visited the Taj Mahal with our friends favourite quote of - "No one has ever loved me that much" as it was built to signify the love from a man to his passed away wife!!! Shazia you make us laugh!!
And this weekend to check out Jodhpur and Jaipur the Blue and Pink cities, for the arts or Rajastan and all its delights too!!!
Im afraid i cant put up the photos. the indian computers are a little too slow!!! but will up date you all when im back!!!
Hope your all well and will let you know more gossip soon!!!

XxX

Hello from India!!

Just wanted to let you know I have arrived safely and all is going well!!! I am currently at the global arts village where the shared talent india project has started!! has been a crazy couple of days taking in so much information about sustainable design, and understanding on how everyone is tackling the issues!!

Hopefully going to set yself up a loom and weave my little arms off producing more bespoke tartan, including embroidery, multi use garments and collaborating with lots of UK and Indian designers!!! so watch this space!!

Will put some pictures up soon!!

Hellooooo and goodbye ...

Hello everyone...

Today is the day im off to India!!

all packed up and ready to go! So I just wanted to give you all a shout to say goodbye, hope you all have a fab summer, keep in touch as i will be updating my progress, work and photos on my blog. so stay tuned for stories of my crazy adventure to India.

Keep in touch

all my love xx