There are moments that define a designer’s commitment to its craft, and the recently concluded Handloom Utsav was undeniably one of them. In a prestigious collaboration with the Weavers Service Centre (WSC)—a department under the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India—Ellen College of Design took center stage to honor India’s rich textile heritage.
Through two spectacular ramp shows held at Jaipur’s most iconic landmarks, Jal Mahal and Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK), our students (the Ellenites) demonstrated that traditional handloom is not just a relic of the past, but the future of sustainable luxury.
The Architecture of Art: A Dual Showcase
The Utsav was divided into two distinct thematic showcases, each highlighting a different facet of Indian craftsmanship and student ingenuity.
1. The Soul of the Earth: The Kala Cotton Collection
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Jal Mahal, this show was a tribute to raw, organic beauty. The collection featured Kala Cotton, an indigenous, carbon-neutral fabric from Kutch, Gujarat.
- The Artisan: The fabric was masterfully hand-woven by Naresh Siju, a renowned artisan from Kutch, whose work brought an authentic soul to the collection.
- The Vision: Ellenites took this rugged, sustainable textile and transformed it into high-fashion silhouettes, proving that ethical fashion can be breathtakingly sophisticated.
2. The Vibrancy of Heritage: Colours of Rajasthan
The second showcase, held at the cultural heart of Jaipur—JKK—was a celebration of the desert state's spirit. Titled "Colours of Rajasthan," this collection moved away from earthy tones into a world of bright, celebratory hues.
- The Direction: The show was expertly directed by Shrikant Sharma, whose vision captured the grand scale of Rajasthani culture.
- The Styling: Curated and styled by Isha Sharma, the looks perfectly balanced traditional handloom aesthetics with contemporary styling, making the heritage fabrics relevant for the modern runway.
Ellenites: From Designers to Storytellers
What made this event truly stand out was the professional maturity of our students. From the initial conceptualization and garment construction to walking the ramp and managing the backstage energy, the Ellenites owned every second of the Handloom Utsav.
Our collaboration with the Weavers Service Centre allowed students to work directly with the primary source of Indian textiles. This wasn't just a fashion show; it was a professional bridge connecting the next generation of designers with the master weavers who hold the secrets of our heritage.
A Proud Milestone for Ellen College
Seeing our students' work on stage serves as a powerful reminder of why we emphasize experiential learning.
At Ellen, we don't just teach design; we provide the platforms where that design can meet the world. We are immensely proud of the hard work, the late nights in the studio, and the professional grace our students displayed during this collaboration.
"To design is to honor the past while building the future. At Handloom Utsav, our students did exactly that."