KARDO has just unveiled its Fall/Winter 2023 collection, embarking on a captivating journey through India’s craft textiles.
This season, the brand widens its horizons, venturing into previously unexplored regions like Nagaland and embracing innovative techniques like Good Tribal painting. Key highlights include the Gond tribal hand-painted denim jacket, featuring a motif painted depicticting tales from the forest and nomadic life, and the innovative upcycled handloom jacket.
Founder Rikki Kher elaborates on the diverse Indian influences, stating: “For this collection, we have delved into various regions of India. This includes sourcing up-cycled sari waste woven on a handloom fabric from West Bengal, incorporating patchwork pockets from Nagaland onto handloom denim—a region where hand weaving is exclusively a women’s pursuit. Additionally, we’ve collaborated with the artist Mahesh Shyam in Madhya Pradesh for the exquisite Gond painted jackets.”
The seasonal offering also introduces Jamdhani Kala cotton weaving, utilising traditional cotton from Gujarat nourished solely by rainwater. The New Dehli-based label has also continued its partnership with a community-based organisation in Bihar, crafting more intricate, moisture-resistant fabrics.
Lastly, Kher reflects on the transition from summer to winter products, explaining: “Our shift involves the complexity of changing from lightweight to heavier fabrics, which poses challenges when weaving on handlooms with thicker yarns. However, we maintain our dedication to artisanal textiles, albeit in more muted colours. This allows us to introduce intriguing textures, offering a refreshing departure from conventional patterns.”
You can cop the KARDO FW23 collection now from the brand’s webstore.
