Indian designer goes for smart fibres from Japanese yarn maker for Lakmé Fashion Week 2020

Indian fashion is known to use glamorous and luxurious fabrics. So for Lakmé Fashion Week 2020, the fashion event in India which like most other global events had turned digital for its October show  this year, India’s home grown designer Hemang Agrawal teamed up with Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei, the Japanese yarn manufacturer leading in both high-performative innovation and sustainability for his new collection, blending crafts and technology, matching Indian tradition with Japanese innovation, combining sustainability with high-end style. 

The Bemberg X Hemang Agrawal collaboration sheds light on the work of artisans while marrying technology for the Benares-based label. “We hope this collaboration will give the craftsman a chance to work with Bemberg, a sustainable cellulose fibre made with sophisticated Japanese technology and develop high-value products that will increase demand for their skills on national and international levels,” said Mr. Hideto Tanimoto, General Manager, Bemberg.

The “Tattva” collection comprising 40 pieces for men and women took inspiration from the Indian mantra of Sarva-Mangalam, which connotes tranquility between the 12 elements of the universe, as per Indian scriptures and tradition. A similar concept in Japanese philosophy is known as Godai.

Motifs representing these elements, including quirky versions of moon-phases, tigers, human mind & DaVinci’s Vitruvian man were woven into the glittering fabrics. The collection was crafted harnessing the skills of Indian handlooms artisans in the designer’s hometown Benares (Varanasi).

Made from the smart-tech transformation of cotton linters pre-consumer materials and converted through a traceable and transparent closed loop process, Bemberg™ fibres add responsible values to the collection.  

The predominant textile used are Bemberg™ brocades along with plain Bemberg™ fabrics and a few blended textiles. The fabrics are distinctively smooth like silk, second skin-like, shining, and bright. 

“We are so happy that we participated in LFW and collaborated with Hemang Agrawal.” Says Mr. Hideto Tanimoto, General Manager, Bemberg™  Sales and Marketing Department. “The collection has come out really wonderful and has brought out the properties of Bemberg yarn such as noble sheen, smooth and soft touch, bright colour, supple drape amazingly. I strongly believe that the collection made significant impact on the sustainable fashion scene in India. We are expecting that the collection will be  successful commercially and will help the local craftsman from Varanasi.”

Designer Hemang Agrawal says, “The dexterity which the weavers in Benares have acquired, finds few parallels in the world. Although predominantly a silk-weaving centre, many master-weavers in the city are highly skilful in handling different yarn types. Japan, on the other hand, is well-known for its advanced technologies as well as its approach towards environment and sustainability as a country. Both these facts are well-reflected in the Bemberg™ Yarn”.

Photos from GB Network/gbnetwork.eu