Who told you that weavers are dying out? That their children look for other jobs? This is all nonsense!” the multi-faceted Gaurang Shah tells me as I sip my coffee and try not to choke in surprise.
“I started working with weavers in 2001. Today our label works with 800+ weavers on a daily basis and support around 3,000 artisans across the country. What weavers need is encouragement and consistency. You need to update them on market trends. You need to involve them in the design process. I also supply them the yarn for weaving so they don’t have to spend on materials. But above all, you need to acknowledge, appreciate them!”, he says.
Born and raised in Hyderabad, the self-taught designer grew up watching his father run his handloom fabric store in Basheerbagh. “My brother and I would go there after school and so my interest developed early. Everything I know, I have learnt practically.” Gaurang’s candour is refreshing, as is his zest for handcrafted weaves.
“I speak 4 languages fluently (Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu and English) but have picked up Bengali and Rajasthani speaking to my weavers over the years because I work closely with them. You can’t do anything sitting behind a desk in an A/C office.” he quips cheekily.
“I love coming to Chennai. I can see that you have a deep appreciation for handlooms and your taste is so subtle.” His designs are usually characterised by a cornucopia of vivid colours which is what sets his Lakme Fashion Week (Spring-Summer 2018) apart. Christened ‘Neel’, Gaurang’s scintillating sarees in blue propounds craftsmanship from across India.
So we see a cobalt blue Jamdani weave from Bengal, a deeper indigo Ajrakh silk from Rajasthan, a cream and blue hand-painted Kalamkari from Andhra, blue patolas from Gujarat and more. He professes “My heart is with sarees, always. Even the select Anarkali designs and menswear have an Indian touch. A saree is like a canvas...”
The textile aficionado sells exclusively through his flagship stores across India and at boutiques in the USA and the United Kingdom.
We value Gaurang’s candour as much as we value his impeccable designs and look forward to seeing him in Chennai again with his Autumn-Festive collection in August.
Available at: 7, Wallace Garden, 3rd Street, Nungambakkam.
Ph: 044-42153446.
