Queen Elizabeth II wore a Hermès scarf to photograph herself for a British postage stamp. Actress Sharon Stone used a Hermès scarf for a bondage scene in Basic Instinct. And, from ramps to red carpets, Hermès continues to rule.

French giant Holding Textile Hermès, a name to reckon with in global haute couture, is now eyeing a deal with Jharcraft, another feather in the well-plumed cap of Jharkhand's state undertaking which happens to be India's single-largest tussar silk producer.

A three-member French team from Hermès came down to Ranchi for a two-day trip on Wednesday and Thursday.

An ambitious deal is likely to materialise within a couple of months. If so, Jharcraft, which already has an organic certification from One Cert USA, will bag plum export orders for tussar silk and spun yarn.

On Wednesday, Florence Carlisi (responsible development officer), Thierry Lanier (business and development director) and Corinne Royer (sericulture expert) met Jharcraft managing director A.T. Mishra at his Ratu Road office and then in the evening also picked up silk stoles from a Jharcraft store, Annapurna, at Main Road.

On Thursday, the trio went to the dyeing centre in Irba and tussar yarn testing centre in Hehal to get a first-hand feel of the production process.

Sounding optimistic, Mishra said: "Our meetings were definitely fruitful. We are looking forward to bagging plum assignments from the French textile company."

So, what did the French delegation, used to seeing the best silks from across the world, like about Jharcraft?

"Two things," said Mishra. "First, they loved the fact that Jharcraft provides livelihood to thousands of rural and tribal weavers. Second, they were impressed by the fact that we extract yarn from the cocoon without killing the silkworm. They saw this at Hehal on Thursday," Mishra said.

"The French delegation visited Jharcraft on the recommendation of members of Central Silk Board, Bangalore (the body under the ministry of textiles, government of India)," Mishra explained how the interaction happened in the first place.

In 2014, Jharcraft produced 2,600 metric tonnes (MT) of tussar silk. In 2015-16, it aims to produce 3,000MT.

He added that once the team is back in France, they would show Jharcraft samples to company officials.

"Based on the reaction there, they will submit a report to us. All communication will be carried out via email. So, fingers crossed," said Mishra.

The Jharcraft MD added that this new overseas assignment, if it takes place, would be a milestone. "We account for almost 60 per cent of the total tussar silk production in the country. If tussar silk spun yarn is exported, our gross business will be in crores," managing director Mishra said.

Will Jharcraft silk make the Hermès cut? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com