Handmade

India's textiles and handicraft industry has received a €9.5 million (₹85.5 crore) grant from the European Union (EU) for a joint initiative with the country’s Ministry of Textiles to foster inclusive growth, resource efficiency and sustainability in the textiles sector along with driving livelihoods, and women’s economic empowerment.

A comprehensive framework is being meticulously chalked out to establish a globally recognised mark of authenticity for handmade products to safeguard the unique methods and traditions inherent in crafts, often passed down through generations, to enable artisans to compete fairly, ensuring fair compensation. The 'Seal of Crafts Authenticity' hopes to provide a trusted certification that would ensure buyers receive what is promised.

Why does a designer have to lie? Why don’t we give the master craftsperson his/her due? Master embroiderer, craft exponent and revivalist Asif Sheikh answers these questions and more on the whats and whys that plague the handcrafted handloom industry.

Non-profit League of Artisans has released a Manifesto on the occasion of World Artisan Day calling on behalf of a “few of the millions of artisans around the world” highlighting the crucial role artisans play in preserving cultural heritage and addressing contemporary challenges.

League of Artisans, a non-profit was formed to promote artisan skills as a vital response to global challenges, trusting in the transformational power of craft to create alternative futures. texfash.com talks to the globally-recognised activist-entrepreneur, Carry Somers, who is also Co-Founder of the decade-old Fashion Revolution.

How can craft serve as a potent climate solution? What are the critical areas for intervention needed for a sustainable craft ecosystem? Is craft a catalyst for sustainable fashion? What are the interventions needed for a sustainable craft ecosystem? A just-released report answers these questions and explores more. 

A “crusader” against climate challenges, the importance of preserving and promoting India’s homespun khadi was underscored at a talking heads symposium organised by Delhi University’s Lady Irwin College.
 

The ninth National Handloom Day was celebrated with the launch of a one-of-a-kind Bharatiya Vastra Aevam Shilpkosh or the textiles & crafts repository e-portal as a one stop resource, providing information on new developments and current events relating to textiles and crafts.

While the world scours for makers of natural dyes, here’s someone in India quietly greening the planet one step at a time in a low volume, high value business. The textile-apparel-fashion industry may stand up and take note, not just to source earth-friendly dyes but also pitch in with funding to help them do more for the people and the environment. texfash.com talks to the Co-Founder-Director of BioDye India Pvt Ltd, Dr Bosco MA Henriques, to bring you his voice from the Konkan region of the Western Ghats.

In a landmark victory for the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the Delhi High Court has passed an interim order restraining two private entities from using the ‘khadi’ mark.