Arati Monappa is one of the most revered designers on the Indian fashion scenario. Her tryst with fashion started in Ahmedabad, where she lived for 25 years. The process of printing fascinated her and she began experimenting with different fabrics. Soon she had a gifted group of crafts people working for her as she helped them hone their skills. Arati soon found that they had an aesthetic eye and that all they needed was some design direction and marketing help from the designer, so that the art could be made appealing to the customer. What started on a small scale soon yielded fruitful results and the cooperative effort between designer and craftsperson found market at various stores.

In 1995, the Arati label was launched, which not only satisfied her creative appetite, but also empowered the crafts persons economically. It became a two-pronged exercise as it kept her creatively involved and also provided workers with fair wages and education for their children. In addition a share of the profits were invested in basic infrastructure for their craft - hand block printers and suitable printing tables. The Arati label has clothes for all occasions

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

In 1996, Arati ventured into a home furnishing line, using the same natural fabrics and craft techniques. However, since most of the fabric is specially woven and dyed or printed with natural colours or accessorised using ethnic craft techniques, the production is limited.

She has a wide range of clothes to choose from, all in natural fabrics, either cottons or silks and all in natural dye. She has dappled with all shades from earth colours like deep browns and beige to indigo, green and orange. There is a range of cotton kurta sets, matched with drawstring straight cut pants or with churidars - all for the working woman. For a more ethnic look, there is the Kota or Venkatagiri sari. For an occasion or an evening out you could choose from a range of kurta sets and saris in different kinds of silks, crepe, tussar and raw silk. Her clothes are a blend of the Indian and the western While striving to be unique, Arati is conscious of keeping with the trends. A distinct Indo-Western touch is apparent in all her creations. With ethnic motifs and zari tops to go with pants or skirts, they retain their Indian feel. There are also quilted reversible jackets, sarongs that could also be worn as scarves and trouser-top sets in silk and cotton. Each garment is crafted with extreme care, to ensure the subtlety and the right kind of fall. In 1997, the Silk Export Promotion Council used Arati`s creations in its design collection at the prêt a porter in Paris. Arati`s sarees are unique in design. The label is low profile as there is a deliberate attempt to cut costs and help the unit to function. Arati retails her collection from Sasha in Bangalore earlier, Mumbai`s Melange and Allure in Ahmedabad.