"Rasika Dugal Stresses That Handlooms Are Essential, Not Optional"
Rasika Dugal, a renowned Indian actress, has a deep affection for handloom fashion. When presented with a selection of clothing, her first choice is often a handloom piece. This preference extends beyond conscious thought, as she finds herself drawn to the unique beauty and cultural significance of these traditional textiles.
As an artist, Dugal feels a sense of responsibility to advocate for artisans and slow fashion. She believes that the shift towards sustainable and ethical fashion is no longer a choice, but a necessity, and everyone should be conscious of this or advocate for it.
Dugal's role in the film Manto provided a deeper insight into India's textile legacy, particularly through the detailed costume design. The costume designers, Nandita Das and Sheetal Sharma, paid meticulous attention to every detail, from fabrics to period-specific prints and motifs. The intricate costume design helped ground Dugal's character, Safia, in the specific era, enhancing her performance.
Raw Mango, a significant modern Indian handloom label, is known for its innovative approach to traditional weaving. Founded by designer Sanjay Garg, the brand has redefined handwoven heritage by blending it with contemporary designs, making handloom fashion relevant to younger generations and global markets.
Raw Mango's minimalism and color sensibilities are admired, but what sets them apart is their integrity and creative activism. The brand bridges tradition and modernity by adapting age-old weaving techniques to contemporary silhouettes and textile innovations. By commissioning over 80% of weaving from expert artisans, they help ensure consistent income and skill preservation for traditional weavers.
Moreover, Raw Mango engages younger consumers by creating designs that appeal to modern sensibilities while maintaining the essence of handloom textiles. Their goal is to sustain demand for handloom textiles across generations, which artisans see as key to the longevity of their craft.
Raw Mango has also elevated the status of handloom textiles by attaining a "cult" brand reputation and visibility through social media and fashion outlets. This helps position handloom textiles as aspirational, high-design products suitable for both Indian and global fashion.
For Rasika Dugal, Handloom Day holds significant meaning. It represents the stories of the people who weave it, the communities it sustains, and the traditions it preserves. By supporting brands like Raw Mango, Dugal is not only making a fashion statement but also contributing to the preservation and promotion of India's rich textile heritage.
[1] Raw Mango: A Modern Indian Handloom Label. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rawmango.com/
[3] Raw Mango: Handloom Revival and Innovation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rawmango.com/handloom-revival-and-innovation
[5] Raw Mango: Aspirational Handloom Fashion. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rawmango.com/aspirational-handloom-fashion
- Rasika Dugal, appreciating the cultural significance of handloom fashion, supports modern Indian labels like Raw Mango, which champions the traditional textile industry by blending it with contemporary designs.
- In the inside of her home and garden, Dugal, with her commitment to education and self-development, carefully selects handloom pieces for her lifestyle, such as those she finds inspiring from Raw Mango, bridging tradition and modernity in both fashion and, potentially, interior design.
- In the realm of India's education and self-development, Rasika Dugal looks to serve as a role model by combining global relevance with local traditions, as seen in her support for ethical and sustainable fashion, particularly through brands like Raw Mango, which integrate fashion-and-beauty and lifestyle with India's textile legacy.
