Bhubaneswar, Aug 11: Fashion designer Sujit Meher is all set to steal the hearts of fashionistas with his latest collection that is a fusion of country's two traditional fabrics - Sambalpuri handloom and Mysore silk.
Meher's collection, which is made exclusively for women, aims to promote the immaculate beauty of handloom designs. The focus is on the upcoming wedding season with most of the attires being saris or lehengas.
Last year, his collection was a fusion of Sambalpuri handloom and Arabian clothing and the year before that, it was Sambalpuri handloom infused with Bohemian style.
"I aim to present the traditional fabrics of our state in an appealing manner. I am sure my new designs will change the thinking and attitude of youngsters towards handloom," said the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) graduate.
Meher is now working on the clothing line that will be presented at an event celebrating Nuakhai in Bangalore on September 11. The annual event is organised by Juhar Parivar, a community of residents hailing from west Odisha.
"I was born in a region that gave birth to Sambalpuri handloom and I am now residing in Bangalore where Mysore silk has its base. So, the idea to merge both these traditional fabrics struck my mind," added the 26-year-old designer.
After the launch, the designs will be put up for sale on various online shopping portals.
Hailing from the Kalahandi district, Meher has been popularising the art and culture of west Odisha across the country. He has his own fashion label - Tilottama - that aims to create designs for social causes.
"The amount collected from the show will be used for the development of the traditional weavers of Odisha. Coming from a family of weavers, I know the hardships that they go through," said Meher.
Meher is also working on a furnishing line employing the Sambalpuri and Ikkat fabrics and designs. The collection will consist of cushion and sofa covers, bedcovers and curtains.
"The collection will be launched by the end of this year. The idea is to involve the weavers in the process of making to add authenticity to the collections along with providing them with alternate livelihood opportunities who are mostly involved in making saris," added Meher.
"People these days prefer western designs and fabrics while designing their interiors. But, I want to showcase that such furnishings can also be fashioned using handloom materials. I am doing market research and I hope to come out with innovative motifs and prints," added Meher.
He had published his book Dreams Beyond Grades last year. In the book, he wrote about his arduous journey from being a nondescript small town guy to a fashion designer and entrepreneur.
