If You Think Khadi Isn't Cool, Prepare To Fall In Love With It

Khadi is in need of an image makeover. "You want to go to a party, you will not think of Khadi. Because you think khadi is only a white saree, a white dhoti, at best a white kurta. Maybe a turban or a stole or something. That is how we think," said designer Payal Jain about how khadi is viewed. The harsh truth of the matter is that her statement was totally right. And that is also exactly why reinventing khadi is essential. Luckily, a khadi revolution is at hand.

There is a sudden rise in awareness about sustainable fashion in the world. In a world where we are going back to our roots even as we are contemporising everything, our choices are slowly becoming more conscious. In the fashion industry at home, Indian handloom has seen a huge rise in demand and popularity. From silk to tussar to cotton to chanderi, there is a revival and a return to the roots. Organic is in and less is more. And with that, khadi has once again caught attention.

The FDCI or Fashion Design Council of India's 'Khadi - Transcending Boundaries' fashion show in New Delhi yesterday left people stunned, so hard was it for them to believe that the clothes that designers Rohit Bal, Payal Jain, Poonam Bhagat, and Anju Modi showcased, were all made of khadi.

"The collection is called 'Swadeshi' but it is meant for the young generation, for the global audience," said designer Anju Modi. "You need to make it stylish and khadi is a beautiful, breathing fabric."

Organic, comfortable and with a texture that makes a statement, khadi actually is the fabric for all seasons mostly because there are so many variations of it. Even if you don't buy designer, you always have the option of buying the fabric in bulk and being your own designer - there are dhoti pants to be made, capes, kurtas, shirts, coats, shrugs, tops, the possibilities are endless. 

So the next time you think khadi is the domain of journalists, teachers and social workers, think again. You will probably do well with some indigenous fabric and elegance in your wardrobe.