Products on display at the launch of the online fashion store in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, March 10: The state’s handloom will now be available in haute designs at the click of a mouse.

An online fashion store for exclusively designed handloom products from the state was launched at Bhubaneswar Club here on Saturday. The event also saw an exhibition and a ramp walk by models.

Raas, the group that has launched the online shopping portal for handloom weavers of the state, showcased lavishly woven silk and cotton saris with intricate borders and patterns throughout the sari’s body. Mostly, bomkai and ikkat of Sambalpuri handloom and Berhampur silk fabrics were exhibited.

Short dresses in attractive colours, which were made of tussar and pure silk, were also available. Cotton kurtis, suits and even trendy dresses were displayed at the exhibition.

A ramp walk by models donning some of these exclusive fashion ensembles marked the occasion, which was attended by a selected audience. Fashion designer Pritam Panda also presented some of his works.

“Our fabrics are of high quality since our weavers produce their textiles on the exclusive looms their forefathers had developed. I always use Odisha silk and tussar even in my couture creations. The works exhibited here, too, have that wonderful blend of style and elegance,” said Pritam.

Raas founder Rasmi Mohapatra said this was an attempt to introduce contemporary designs with a touch of high fashion to traditionally woven silks and cottons of Odisha.

“All the items, be it saris, stoles or dresses, combine ikkat and other traditional weaving skills of Odisha with modern designs and high-fashion fabrication,” said Rashmi, who guides her team of designers, according to Pritam’s suggestions.

Apart from the usual women’s wear, stoles, suits, jackets and decorative items such as cushion covers and bed covers were also on display at the exhibition that was launched by fashionista and socialite Jagi Mangat Panda.

The online store — www.raasindia.co.in — offers a wide collection including peplum top dresses and knee-length dresses. There are also short kurtis and fashion accessories such as silk and cotton stoles, an attractive range of jackets, coats and shrugs that have the famous ancient temple motif and other regular patterns of Odisha textiles presented in novel ways.