Bagmati Again

Tribal art,Ikat weaves or ritualist reminders like nimboo-mirchi,Indias cultural diversity is the muse for bag designers.

A Kathakali dancer and a clutch. It seems like an odd,unlikely pairing but is one of Aarti Vermas bestsellers. The founder of Art Meets Fashion,who retails handmade bags under the same label,has hand-painted the face of a Kathakali dancer on a handbag made from woven cotton fabric. Titled the Incredible India series of handmade bags,Verma retails them online and at select stores across India. For me,India and its iconography have been constant inspirations, says Verma,who started the label in 2010 and has seen a steady demand for contemporary style bags with Indian motifs. I work with craftspersons directly and incorporate Indian elements into my designs, says Verma. Her recent collections include Tribal Beauties featuring cutesy folk art as well as Machli Jal Ki Rani Hai that includes clutches,slings and totes with hand-painted fishes in traditional Gond artwork on the panels.

When it comes to shopping for bags,Indian markets are flooded with either mass-produced leather or faux leather options,or a few homegrown brands and luxury labels. In this mix,handmade creations are a refreshing change.

Also choosing India as their muse are Mumbai-based entrepreneurs Abhishek Phatak and Regina Khurana. The two founded Jhola Co. (www.jhola.co.in) and create

India-inspired illustrations on canvas bags with an eco-friendly twist. The digitally printed jholas come in all sizes and display quintessential desi elements like nimboo-mirchi,autorickshaws,the ambassador car and truck art. There was no other muse which awed and inspired us more than India, says Phatak. His customers have graduated from college-goers to professionals. Buoyed by the success of the common mans sling bag,Jhola Co. is now looking to foray into fashion accessories and the home decor segment.

Traditional fabrics Ikat and bandhini appear in the Tale of Two Cities clutch collection by another independent handmade bag label Princesse K,which retails out of various multi-designer stores and e-boutiques in India. Created and fashioned by designer Karishma Shahani,this collection,priced Rs 2,000 onwards,saw the team at Princesse K travel to Delhi to source fabrics and visit different handloom stores for traditional weaves from Andhra Pradesh,Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. We have used fabrics like Ikat and leheriya with contemporary styles to create fun bags and wallets, explains Shahani,adding,Regardless of what size or shape a woman is,she can always indulge in a handbag. She recently showcased a vibrant collection of satchels inspired by a bus conductors bag. Will Bottega Veneta take this with a bag of salt?

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tribal art

Bagmati Again

Tribal art,Ikat weaves or ritualist reminders like nimboo-mirchi,Indias cultural diversity is the muse for bag designers.

Tribal art,Ikat weaves or ritualist reminders like nimboo-mirchi,Indias cultural diversity is the muse for bag designers.