Bhubaneswar: A blend of handcrafted textiles from Odisha, juxtaposed with contemporary designs, is drawing fashion lovers to the National Handloom Expo that began here on Monday.

Jumpsuits, trousers, palazzos, crinoline skirts, quilted tops, jackets, boleros for various occasions have been a huge hit.

A capsule collection of resort lines of hand-woven mulberry silk Ikkat stoles to crop tops are also available to suit the tastes of the urban masses. Men are also spoilt for choice with textured, hand-woven tussar and erie beach pants, trousers and shirts.

Around 200 kiosks from 22 states have set up shop at the exhibition.

Products such as Bengal's hand-painted cotton with appliqué work, and Jamdani, Kantha stitch and Baluchori saris; Lucknowi chikan from Uttar Pradesh; bed sheets and covers, cushion covers and Kotta saris from Rajasthan; Upada silks and Pochampalli saris from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; and Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh are among the options available.

However, the weavers lamented the dismal state of their profession.

"Only a few societies promote their own craftsmen and workers in order to sell their products in the market. This initiative will bride that gap," said handloom minister Snehangini Chhuria.

"This also benefits the consumers, who get quality handmade products at prices lower than market prices," she said.

Shoppers also feel such exhibitions offer qualityclothes at reasonable prices.

"A number of designers sell these products at high prices and they are not accessible to all. I found a number of designs made from traditional fabrics that fit the latest trends," said Sonali Senapati, a homemaker.

Department sources said they expected a footfall of around 10 lakh and business worth Rs 15 crore.