“Embroidery is a timeless craft that transcends generations and languages. It’s an opportunity to tell a story, pass on a memory, or celebrate a milestone in your life.”- Anonymous
Age Old Chikankari Work Gains Appeal For Its Regal Look
Indian culture has cast a spell on countries across oceans since time immemorial. Indian Ethnic wear has attracted many tourists and also has a sizeable chunk of market share in foreign markets. Talking about ethnic wear, the most popular thing that occupies the mind is the handwork of “Chikankari”. Chikan work with its gossamer quality has become one of Indian fashion’s hottest exports and is an expression of haute couture. When the sun smiles strongly, you know it is the time to celebrate cool muslins and soft mulls. Traditional yet contoured in a modish contemporary twist, the ageless chikankari, comes to your cool rescue. It is an innovative and age-old artisan craft that involves intricate threadwork over a washable print. Every single thread is sewed in with care and passion to signify the virtue of this unparalleled handcraft. As times have changed embellishments like stones, sequins, zardozi, mukaish, embellishments, mirror works and other Moti works were added to it to create a unique appeal. The work is no longer limited to Indian wear and is also found on skirts, and tops to suit the foreign markets better.
Bringing such elegance and opulence to your wardrobe is an ethnic fashion label “Rangrez Ethnic” which offers handmade chikankari worked kurtis, sets, bottoms and sarees in a variety of patterns and mesmerizing colours. Started in January 2022 by two friends Palak Singh and Radhika Mishra, the brand aims to bring all Indian handicrafts under one umbrella so that the beauty of this art form can become affordable to as many households as possible This in turn would benefit the artisans who toil hard to deliver the beautifully Chikankari outfits.
Carrying Forward The Lucknowi Chikankari Parampara
Hailing from Lucknow, the city of Nawabs, and having a family business in Chikankari clothing, Radhika and her childhood friend Palak conceptualized the whole functioning of their brand in January 2022. Prior to this clothing business, Radhika, a B. Tech from Manipal University, worked as a software developer in an IT firm for about 4 years. Her ingenuity in cloth designing was not only bestowed because of her family business but also because of her passion to bring different handicrafts and artworks under one roof that represents their Lucknowi culture. Joining hands with her co-partner Palak, she mustered all efforts to quit her regular job and with an initial investment of 50k she bought the fabrics and started with her Instagram page. With small investments in marketing through social influencers, they gradually started experimenting with the ranger collections and grew bigger in business with the launch of their website.
The Growth Prospects Ahead
The brand aims to connect all age groups to Indian handicrafts by offering not only traditional ethnic kurtas but also a variety of designer handwoven tops that the youth can relate to. Offering splendorous chikankari work in rayon, muslin, georgette, crepe and cotton, they soon envision launching a collection in handblock Kalamkari and handblock Sanganeri. A few years down the line, the brand that is presently operational in the online space wants to get recognized as a leading name in the handwoven business and commence its physical store to connect to a wider customer base.
Instagram Link: https://instagram.com/rangrez.ethnic?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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