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Fabrics go veg
Back to past
PACESETTER
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Fabrics go veg
The beautiful and highly talented Li folk singers from Nagaland—the Testeo sisters—performed in their third appearance at the Handshake concert in Bangkok recently. They were attired in clothes made from banana silk fabric made by Kohima-based designer Keds Krome. Home-grown, New-Delhi based designer Sakshee Pradhan will be presenting a collection of Western attire made of banana silk and coconut fibre-infused polyster fabric for the upcoming Wills Lifestyle Summer 2013 show. Bangalore-based designer Deepika Govind has been designing off-beat clothes — from fabrics of soya, corn, jute etc. for more than a decade now. She recently launched even hand-woven organic denim line called ‘denim green’. Hand-woven organic cotton using original craftsmanship and looms that date back centuries has been used in these clothes. Yes, there is a silent, slow but a steady stream of change being witnessed in the apparel industry not only in India but all over the world. Now is the time to say, “It’s different!’’ about the clothes you will be wearing if you take on the new fad clothes. These aren’t the hitherto familiar clothes made from cotton, silk, wool or synthetic. But these are made from fibre-rich raw materials like corn, soya, tensil, bamboo, jute, coconut fibre, hemp, agave etc. In short, currently these are termed as luxury, exotic, unaffordable and comfortable vegetarian fabrics (they are all made from some plant or the other). Deepika has been working along with textile department of the Karnataka Government, Central Silk Technological Research Institute (CSTRI) and researching to make such fabrics on a larger scale. She has worked with tencel (a biodegradable fabric made of wood-pulp cellulose), modal (cellulosic fibre from tree bark), eri-denim (eri silk is a north-eastern silk in a denim weave, creating a fabric that looks and behaves exactly like denim, corn silk (silk made from corn fibre), soya silk (fabric made from soya beans) and many others. Says the designer, “Organic and eco-friendly fashion has become viral. No doubt, there is a very small market for these clothes, as there is not much awareness of existence of such fabric. If from shop-floor assistants to media, and of course designers start understanding, talking and popularising these fabric, there will be a renaissance in the world of fashion.’’ Canada-based designer Lorena Santin-Andrade, who is associated with brand Cotton Ginny, says, “Bamboo is nature’s fastest growing plant and is 100 per cent biodegradable. It makes good sustainable fabric.” Sakshee says, “It is my bit to help keep our environment green. Besides, these fabrics are beautiful. They have a lovely sheen making these appear very glamorous. For my Wills Lifestyle Collection I will dye these in jewel tones. And I agree these clothes are pricey and have a niche buyers only, but then there are customers who appreciate these clothes and I am sure, slowly it will catch up with others also.” Deepika agrees that these clothes look gorgeous. “It is a different feel to work with these fabrics. I know, it still needs to be made popular but there is a niche market. Fabrics from these materials appear rich and the wearer will never want to go back to other fabrics once he or she gets used to apparel from such material. And the raw material, which is always left as waste from plants like corn, jute, coconut, bamboo can be easily utilised making the entire process not only cost effective, but also sustainable,” says the designer. New Delhi-based designer Aneeth Arora, who has client base in more than 20 countries, including Europe and Japan for her eco-friendly cotton clothes, says, “At present, these fabrics are rough in texture. Though they look good, lot of research needs to be done to make them smooth to popularise them in the West. The best way to look fashionable in these clothes is to use them in layers.” Even in men’s apparel, too, these fabrics are being used. Big brands like Raymonds uses bamboo fabric in men’s suiting. This fabric suits tropical climate like ours, where men can dress in formals but still not look hot and uncomfortable. Designers across the globe agree that lot of research needs to be done. But the trend has set in. So next time you visit one of those well-known brands or designer boutiques, ask for such clothes. You may get hooked and may form a small but definite catalyst in this new-wave clothing.
Research and experiment to make these eco-friendly clothes cost-effective, mass produced and popular among masses is on everywhere. In USA, two professors from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design, have designed an earth-friendly fabric from corn fibre. Dubbed as ‘husker fibre’, it is renewable and low-cost, provided it is produced on mass scale. Such fabrics could be an answer to the sustainability in textile
industry.
When Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman went to live in the jungle for 14 years, the only clothes they wore were woven from fibres of banana plant. Ditto with the Pandavas as they went to live in the forests for 12 years — they were attired in clothes made from fibres of agave plant. That was nearly 3,000 years ago. Those clothes were comfortable, non-creasy, withstood heat, rain and lasted. In Greece and Egypt, fibres from flax plants, too, were used in pre-historic times. Flax was native to the region extending from Mediterranean to India. It was extensively cultivated in ancient Ethiopia and ancient Egypt. Dyed flax fibres have been found in the prehistoric caves dating back to 30,000 B.C. These prehistoric clothes are today being termed as luxury fabric as these have become a rarity. Clothes made from anything other than cotton, wool, silk or synthetics are termed as exotic and pricey. Only the rich and elite are able to afford them.
Over time and with the machine age setting in, we had lost the art of weaving clothes from fibre-rich raw materials like corn, soya, tensil, bamboo, jute, coconut fibre, hemp, agave etc. Now, slowly we are rediscovering our ancient art. The green brigade is renaming these clothes as regenerated fibres or sustainable fabric. The band of eco-designers and even others are trying to use these regenerated fibres by the name of: from corn fibres—Ingeo and Sorona; from soy protein fibre it is soy silk, from bamboo and rayon its’ tencel, modal and viscose. So the time has come for natural clothes to beat the climate change!
Bamboo, nature’s fastest growing plant, is 100 per cent biodegradable. It makes a good sustainable fabric. Lorena Santin-Andrade, Canada-based designer
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Off the IT path A software professional with a farming background from Punjab has set up an emu farm Vasudha Gupta When an IT professional decides to do step in a non-IT industry, there will be strong signals of doing it differently. At 37, when most professionals are not willing to take risks or putting money in some new business, Parwinder Singh mustered the courage to venture into a whole new arena and set up an emu farm in Punjab. This software professional stood out of the crowd not only because he took on a different challenge but also because he interweaved his IT knowledge to promote emu farming as an industry. In 2006, Parwinder set up a software development firm to promote internet-based firms. “I also established an NGO, Dynamic Entrepreneurs Company (DEC), to assist youngsters establish their own units,” Parwinder shares. Currently his NGO is helping 10 to 15 such companies. Coming from a farming background, he wanted to apply his IT knowledge in this area. The one idea that came to mind was an emu farm. Foraying into an unchartered arena of setting up an emu farm was a daring move for Parwinder. “Awareness is the biggest problem in the industry. Not many people know that emu farming is a popular concept in South India,” he shares. In South India, the lack of fertile soil and depleting water levels has played a vital role in popularising this business. “When you look at Punjab, most of the farmers are only keen on growing wheat and rice due to abundant government support in buy back of these crops,” he adds. The water level in Punjab is also going down fast, as Parwinder came to know when while digging a well; the water came only about at about 300 feet. “The willingness to experiment and venture into new business is low and government is not doing much to encourage it,” he shares. After facing immense problems in acquiring a loan, Parwinder finally set up his emu farm in Punjab last year, which has been keeping him on his toes. The main focus is to bridge the gap between the international market and Indian emu farmers. Parwinder’s knowledge in IT and farming helped him when he tied up with an Australian firm to sell emus. “Their motive is that if we can sell their products in India it will not only benefit them but us as well,” he says. Emu is popular for its 98 per cent fat-free meat, though not many are aware that a carved eggshell of an emu can sell between $100 and $1,000. Planning to develop emu farming as an industry, Parwinder is keen on not just selling the high-quality meat abroad but creating a market for it in India as well. “With just one slaughterhouse, a full-fledged industrial setup can be started,” he shares. Parwinder is certain that the industry will soon flourish in Punjab. All that is needed is devotion and commitment.
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Fan following
Back in the 1940s when a Canadian was introduced to a contraption called the ceiling fan, he thought it could be a profitable business proposition for crowded places in western countries like restaurants, bars and cinema halls. He wrote a letter to the Hong Kong manufacturer asking if these were available in different colours and sizes. “Of course”, wrote back the Hong Kong fan-maker, “You can have any kind of fans you like as long as they are 56 inches in diameter and white in colour!” Look, how times change. From the dowdy white three-blade, the ceiling fan has today metamorphosed into an indoor decorative item that comes in a multitude of colours, shapes and sizes. Its job is not just to silently and efficiently manage air but in addition, it has become an object of great ornamental value that enhances the interiors of a room as much as other ornamental pieces. Colours and materials First, about the colours and materials. Today, fans come in a spectrum of colours ranging from the basic hues to the exotic sounding colours like antique copper, oil-rubbed bronze, brushed steel, matte black, vintage wine, satin nickel and more. The material used in making a fan is no longer confined to stainless steel. Blades can be made from bamboo, wood, plastic, aluminium and a host of other materials. The shapes of fans, too, are being transformed in wildly creative ways. There are fans whose blades retract when not in use. Twin fans, triple fans, a quartet of fans on one mount. Then you can also have a series of fans strung to a pole or two, attractively designed fans on either side of an aluminium pipe. Then there are the art deco, contemporary and geek chic fans. There are special doll-faced fans for young girls, and for boys, fans come in the shape of airplanes and helicopters. Disney has collaborated with Bajaj in India to come up with two fans — The Little Mermaid and Mickey & Donald costing Rs 3,200 a fan. Artistic blades When it comes to creating blades for high-end modern fans, the designers’ imagination literally takes wing. The artistic blades can come in the shape of feathers, outstretched arms, satellite orbiting a planet, single-blade fans, multiple blade fans and — believe it or not — fans with no blades at all. The bladeless fans are the newest fad that has taken the western world by storm. For example, the Dyson Air Multiplier is a pedestal fan without any visible blades. It is a circular tube mounted on a pedestal that throws a powerful draft of air as if by magic. In reality it uses technology found in jet engines to generate a cooling air stream. The blower in the base forces the air through a ring of vents which are aerodynamically contrived to cool the surroundings with air. Time was many centuries ago when the hand-held fan was a utilitarian accessory used to generate air in hot-weathered places. Over the years, the hand fan became a status of wealth, power and fashion. The Paris-based House of Duvelleroy, founded in 1827, created some of the most stunning fans with carvings in ivory, tortoise shell, exotic wood, and horn with mother-of-pearl inlay, enamel, and even feathers. Indian hand fans India, too, excelled in the art of making hand fans. Every major region of India had its exclusive style. The Rajasthani hand fan, for example was usually handmade from papier-mache clay on a wooden base and the motifs were flowers and leaves. There were two kinds of hand fans from Punjab — the Peshawari pakkhe and the smaller version known as the Kundaladar pakkhi on account of their curled ends. The Kutch region has been famous for its artistic hand fans. Similarly, all other regions had their own designs. For most of the 20th century the fan industry has thrived in India and today fans are one of the extensively used appliances in the building industry. Many of these — especially the pedestal fans from the last century, have become high-value vintage objects that find pride of place in the homes of the wealthy people. Interestingly, in India the hand fan is very much in existence today — and thriving in rural areas and small towns, which are prone to frequent power cuts. However, these co-exist not just with the ordinary electric ceiling and pedestal fans but also with some of the new innovatively designed remote-controlled fans that come fitted with decorative lights and satin tassels. Here’s looking at some of the most fancy newage fans that are putting a sparkle to the interiors.
Caruso twin ceiling fan
Price: $1,125 to $1,350
(Rs 56,250- Rs 67,500)
Americana short
Price: $1,800
(Rs 90,000)
Monte Carlo Cruise outdoor fan
Price: $220
(Rs 11,000)
Bayhill
Price $700
(Rs 35,000)
Brisa
Price: $1,480
(Rs 74,000)
Banvil hand fan
Price: Between $500 and $1,000 for pre-owned fans
(Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000)
Enigma
Price: $1,900
(Rs 95,000)
Duplo-Dinamico
Price: $1,670
(Rs 83,500)
Camden
Price: $350 for 18 inch blade & $550 for 22-inch blade
(Rs 17,500 & 27,500)
Palmetto
This fan is so stunningly unique that it brings to fore form, function and style. The Palmetto Section Ceiling Fan includes one motor unit with two nine-foot spans and three-blade hubs per span (a total of six blades). One can purchase up to five sections for a total span of 45 feet. Produced by American company Fanimation, which is one of the most creative fan designers of the world, the fan is usually found in leading resorts, hotels and restaurants around the world. For those who can afford it, it can make home interiors sparkle. Price: $10,000
(Rs 5 lakh)
Wailea by Casablanca
Price: $190 to $240
(Rs 9,500 to Rs 12,000)
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TAKE DISNEY TO SCHOOL
Price: School bags between
Rs 599 and Rs 1,599
MUSIC is IN the air
Price: $16,000
(Rs 8 lakh)
ON THE FAST LANE
price: Ranging from $100 to $460 (From
Rs 5,000 to Rs 23,000)
FLOWER POWER
Price: $3,595
(Rs 1.8 lakh)
KEY TO STYLE
Price: $75
(Rs 3,750)
SWEET TEMPTATION
Price: $1.5 million
(Rs 7.5 crore)
GETTING SPORTY
Price: Ranging from $315 to $500 (From
Rs 15,750 to Rs 25,000)
BAGGAGE FROM THE PAST
Price: Ranging from $6,000 to $9,000 a piece (From
Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh)
FISH ’N’ FLUSH TOILET
Price: $500
(Rs 25,000)
ATTITUDE ON YOUR WRIST
Price:
Rs 5.4 lakh
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Those who just stand and stare at this fan should be forgiven. Its remarkable design is meant to be ogled at. The Caruso is a twin ceiling fan with adjustable two motor units that can be displayed at angles ranging from vertical to 60 degrees thus making it capable cooling an environment in almost any direction and at most angles. The fan comes in three colours — antique brass, bronze and rust. It has ten palm leaf oval blades and two fan speeds — forward and reverse— from its two powerful and noiseless motors. This fan is truly an attention-grabber.
This fan is as retro as they get. The Americana Short Ceiling Fan has been inspired by the style at the turn of the 19th century. Its antique look will add character and charm to any setting. The intricate detail from the base of the fan is carried through with scrollwork reminiscent of that period. It is ideally suited for rooms which are done up in an elegantly retro style. The fan comes in reversible oak/walnut blades, but for that dramatic look a different blade finish can be selected from options that include natural palm, traditional wood and woven bamboo.
This one is a classic by Monte Carlos one of America’s leading fan manufacturers. The five-winged outdoor ceiling fan has three speeds and comes with a hand-held remote. It has a Roman bronze-finish motor with light walnut coloured blades in the shape of very attractive fans. Though it is an outdoor fan, many people use it as an indoor decorative piece or to add colour and style to the interiors. It is also popular as a fan for the children’s room.
This fan exudes the type of old-world class and sophistication that is perfectly suited for any room with a vintage flair. The Bayhill Ceiling Fan, in Venetian bronze finish, is an exciting design that is transitional in style but still carries a tropical feel. The wide variety of blade and light fixture options add versatility in design as well as function. The soft strobe-like light from the attractive light fixture attached to the fan makes lends warmth and romance to the surroundings. The fan is both trendy and elegant and has a classic appeal to it. 
This fan gives the appearance of a satellite orbiting a planet. And that’s what makes the Brisa 2000 a unique rotational ceiling fan. Its select mahogany or metal blades and lunar counterweight gently orbit about its spherical gear housing. The motor head can be infinitely positioned in a 180-degree arc for optimum air movement; the greater the angle of the motor to the horizontal support rods (up or down), the faster the axial rotation. A slow, controlled axial rotation is achieved by both motor head position and fan blade speed. The Brisa is available in polished chrome, brushed nickel, electric copper or matte black. The satellite-shaped fan is sure to space out your guests.
Any classic fan lover would love to get his or her ‘hands’ on this fan. The Banvil fan comes in three colour variations — white motor with antique brass brackets, polished brass stripe around motor and two gold tassle pulls. There is also the brown motor with polished brass brackets and stripe around motor. And the third is the polished brass motor with wood or cane blades. There are a very few available in the market and whenever a pre-owned fan is put up for sale there is usually a queue of buyers.
This design could have better suited the sword of Hercules or that of some giant medieval warrior. The Enigma Ceiling Fan breaks tradition from normal fans and has a two-and-half feet single blade, which gives it a swooping five-foot span. The rapid movement is balanced by the offset weight designed into the style. It includes a built-in light that uses halogen bulbs. It also comes with a fan and light wall control that can be converted to a hand held remote control. Seen in the movie I, Robot, the fan is bold, modern and strikingly beautiful. 
Few retro designs can match the aesthetics of the handmade Duplo-Dinamico Ceiling Fan. Made with polished copper, it features dual drive motors and full-circle rotation. There have been many imitations of this fan but none has been able to match its artistry. Functionally, too, it excels. The motor heads can be infinitely positioned in 180-degree arcs for optimum air movement. The greater the angles of the motors to the horizontal support rods the faster the axial rotation. The Duplo has metal blades with decorative cages for safety which enhance its visual appeal.
This fan has both creative design and a timeless appeal. In fact the Camden Ceiling Fan mixes diversity with simplicity to create a customizable product of quality and appearance. With its hand-carved walnut blades the Camden is best suited for covered outdoor installations. You can also choose from the option of two blades of 18 and 22 inch lengths as also a multitude of light fixture options. A smart combination of style and function, it evokes a vintage aesthetic. The four-blade fan in oil-rubbed bronze houses a powerful motor and capability of eight different blade options and ten different light fixtures. 
The Wailea is a stunner. Its brushed nickel finish and matte black blades give it the status of a decorative rather than a fan. Though its 31-inch blades are relatively small in size but since there are six of them with a light in the centre, the combination of the two ensures that the room is adequately airy and illuminated. The fan comes with a three-speed pull chain system that can also be operated with a remote control that also has a full-range light dimmer. Its relatively low cost makes the Wailea a winner all the way.
It's school time again and kids are in for a treat. Disney Consumer Products (India) brings its young fans a new and exciting range of school products. Featuring popular Disney characters such as Mickey and Friends, Disney Princess, Disney Pixar Cars and Winnie the Pooh, the range includes stationery products, backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles and much more. The cool and stylish Back to School products have innovative designs and fluorescent colours. Some of the bags come with wheels attached so that kids can roll them to school conveniently. So go ahead and lighten your child’s burden with these strolley school bags.
There’s music in the air again as aficionados pull out the turntable — the iconic music box that was all-pervasive through much of the 1970s and 1980s decades. A hark back to the time before the iPods and iDocks changed the way we listened to music. The sleek AMG Viella 12 turntable has an art deco feel to it with a shiny mahogany base and a midnight black top. Designed by German engineer Werner Roeschlau, it has an aircraft-grade aluminium body with pure copper wiring ensuring perfect resonance control. So, if you want to bring the magic of music back in your life, go get this exquisite turntable. But there’s just one snag. It has a long waiting list as a lot many other people want it too.
The very name of Ferrari may be music to the ears of many automobile enthusiasts, but the race car’s association with music runs deep. Ferrari has collaborated with speaker-manufacturer Logic3 to produce an exclusive range of audio products. The Scuderia Ferrari Collection reflects the qualities of the Ferrari F1 team and is marked by sleek designs bearing the Ferrari team badge. The second is the Ferrari Cavallino Collection inspired by the GT road car, which bears the iconic Prancing Horse (Cavallino Rampante) logo of Ferrari. If you are looking for a high quality audio experience, just go for the Ferrari logo. You will surely be a winner on this music tracks.
Most fashion experts will tell you that when it comes to adding freshness and appeal to your attire, there is nothing as pretty as flowers. This season flowers are in full bloom in haute couture. Italian designer Valentino has gone a step further and created a chic floral glam tote. The elegant and feminine sand napa leather handbag is embellished with small flowers and large sequined roses with bead details. Here’s your chance to spread some cheer around by getting flowery this summer. 
Are you still using freebie key chains which come as promotional gifts? Discard all those and organise your keys in style by using Polo Ralph Lauren’s leather key ring. Offering understated style, these key chains come in three different styles. Made of high quality imported leather and gold-plated key rings, you can choose from a buckle flat soft leather braid or braided leather in a loop. This fine leather key chain is embossed with Lauren’s signature pony and has a polished metal key ring and because of its pedigree, it is in a class of its own.
Any dentist will tell you that chocolates are bad news for the teeth. But this chocolate box is guaranteed to leave you with a gaping cavity in your bank account. That’s because the Simon Jewellers Le Chocolate box is anything but ordinary. The jewellery house is offering a selection of Lake Forest gourmet chocolates, hand-picked by the master chocolate maker. But that’s just a part of the story. A surprise awaits when you or your loved one opens the box. The gift pack also contains a bracelet of natural yellow and blue diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires making it the world’s most expensive chocolate box.
Time was when a shoe was…well, just a shoe. How times change. Today sports shoes come in a variety of categories….Walking shoes, jogging shoes, aerobic shoes, tennis shoes…the list goes on. Take a look at the new Adidas line of men’s workout basics made in collaboration with German luxury auto giant Porsche. The shoes have a metal spring to keep you light on your toes and a mesh fabric to keep your feet cool and dry. If your sport of preference is running, golfing or tennis, these shoes are just the right fit for you. The collection showpiece, however, is a performance slip-on sneaker that promises to deliver a stylish, smooth ride…that is, if you happen to be driving a multi-million Porsche.
Lovers of things vintage rejoice. A range of retro Louis Vuitton luggage dating from the late 19th century to the 1940s may go up for auction soon. The last auction by Christie’s in London in September 2011 drew a passionate response from retro aficionados. The luggage pieces that fetched the highest bids included baggage with original travel labels for journeys to exotic destinations on steamships over a century ago. According to experts on memorabilia, Vuitton’s well-crafted trunks with hand-stitched leather handles and burnished brass locks were very popular with first class passengers, who travelled with lavish wardrobes. These pieces of luggage were luxury then and are priceless now. Watch out for the date of the new auction.
This toilet will make you feel like a fish out of water. Fish ’n’ Flush is a two-piece aquarium toilet tank that fits most toilets and turns the bathroom into the centre of attention with its unique design. The aquarium wraps itself around an inner tank that actually flushes the water while the aquarium stays intact. Fish ’n’ Fun makes a fun-fashion statement for the homeowner who wants to have something unique in the bathroom. It is a great conversation piece that will appeal to everyone. Though the danger is that many people may not flush mistaking the aquarium to be the flush tank reservoir.
You could have the time of your life when you have this eye-candy on your wrist. Tag Heuer has brought to India the Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS Chronograph. The watch has a stopwatch-sized 43mm stainless steel case and the bezel is crafted from rose gold. The dial is meticulously brushed and polished and the alligator leather strap is coupled with steel folding buckle and safety push button with Tag Heuer logo in massive rose gold. Inspired by GT car engineering and the company’s motoring heritage, this watch not just has a compelling story to tell but will also put you a notch up in the social order.