A plethora of Kancheepuram silk weaves splashed with colours and embellishments of hand block prints, kantha work and kalamkari is the new Pongal collection on display at Collage Boutique. The mind behind the silk designs, Bindu Giri says her label Bindu Giri offers a wide range of choices, from traditional to corporate wear.
An MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School, Bindu says she has always been passionate about art. “After I moved to Singapore, I began giving financial advice to a boutique in Hyderabad. That rekindled my passion and I decided to pursue art seriously,” she says.
Hailing from a royal family in Kerala, she was exposed to designing, art and weaving at a young age. “We used to patronise weavers and my grandmother, who was a connoisseur of music and art was a major influence,” she confides.
Talking about her new collection, Bindu says kantha work with birds designed on it are specific to the harvest festival. “The process of creating this eclectic collection has been exciting. I feel silk should be flowy and not stiff, so I tried my best to do a lot of milk wash,” she says. Having created artwork for over 11 years, she draws inspiration from her travels to various lesser-known parts of India, and from reading Indian History.
“I love India for all its nuances and derive inspiration from them. Kalahasthi and Kancheepuram are two places that have inspired me to come up with a lot of designs,” she says.
Moreover, working closely with the weaver community in places like Kolkata, Mumbai, Kancheepuram and Gujarat, she says the artisans are extremely talented but don’t get the remuneration they deserve. “When I went to Kancheepuram I had a good rapport with them. We need help from the government so that the weavers realise their value and get trained in entrepreneurial skills,” she explains.
Having showcased her design collection across the world, Bindu states that the dress one wears should make a powerful statement. “Dress, according to me, should be powerful, and the person wearing it must have the choice to go either outlandish with fabrics, or adopt a minimalistic approach,” she says.
Bindu is biased towards traditional designs and consciously stays away from new age weaves. “I am not a big fan of the fusion trend but I do mix two pure forms to create a new look,” she says, pointing to the kantha work incorporated in a Kancheepuram silk saree.
Having studied design and drafting from Singapore’s Lasalle College of Art, Bindu never sets aside a specific time to work. “I always keep a sketch book and pen with me. I start designing as soon as I wake up or when I’m travelling,” she says. Bindu is currently helping weavers affected by floods, especially those using pit looms.
To view her silk fabrics, visit www. bindugiri.com. For details, call 8939828888.