The BoF Podcast | Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri on the Value of Indian Craft
In the latest episode of The Business of Fashion (BoF) Podcast, Editor-in-chief Imran Amed speaks with Dior’s Artistic Director Maria Grazia Chiuri about the valuable contribution of Indian craft to the fashion industry. Through this conversation, Chiuri expressed her fascination with the couture crafts of India and how they have inspired her work at Dior. She has been integrating Indian craftsmanship into Dior’s luxury products and modernizing them with a global fashionable touch.
In this blog post, we will explore the highlights of the BoF podcast and discuss the relevance of Indian craftsmanship in the fashion industry.
The BoF Podcast | Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri on Indian Craft
To start off, we can listen to the full episode of the BoF Podcast | Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri on Indian Craft. (https://www.businessoffashion.com/podcasts/the-bof-podcast/diors-maria-grazia-chiuri-on-the-value-of-indian-craft)
Maria Grazia Chiuri is a fashion visionary who has continued to innovate the fashion space with her work at Dior. She has a passion for sustainable fashion, and her collaboration with Indian artisans is just one of the efforts she has made to incorporate cultural influences into fashion.
The Indian Craftsmanship
Indian craftsmanship has a rich history and vast diversity. The country has embraced complex techniques such as embroidery, weaving, dying, and printing over the centuries. India is particularly famous for its luxurious silk fabrics, intricate embroidery, and beadwork, among many other distinctive art forms. Most of these crafts prove to be time-taking as each intricate detail is done hand. That’s why the term “handcrafted” has become synonymous with Indian creations.
Indian craftsmanship has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in the luxury fashion space. Designer brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino have explored Indian craftsmanship in their collections. Fashion designers are intrigued with the rich cultural heritage that India offers, and they’re not shying away from incorporating the same into their works. Indian crafts are not only aesthetic but also hold sentimental value in the industry.
Dior and the Indian Craftsmanship
Dior has incorporated Indian craftsmanship into its collections for several years. The brand’s spring/summer 2018 collection showcased various fabrics and embroidery inspired Indian heritage. The show was beloved many and received immense applause from the fashion community worldwide. India was the official partner country at the 2019 edition of the Texworld fair in Paris, and Dior was a part of it. Chiuri utilized the sumptuous textiles from India and intertwined them with modern-day silhouettes.
Dior’s fascination with Indian craftsmanship can be traced back to its founder Christian Dior himself. Dior’s fall/winter 1955 collection, famously known as “Bonalisa,” had Indian detailed embroidery, which took over 300 hours to create.
Chiuri believes that Indian crafts are sustainable and eco-friendly as they involve minimalistic handwork and promote non-toxic environments. She tries to source the materials for her work locally to support the artisans and keep their centuries-old work form alive. The efforts not only offer sustainable livelihoods to the artisans but also help in preserving the heritage of the country.
Why Indian Craftsmanship Matters in the Fashion industry
The fashion industry today is expanding, and new ways are emerging in making designs more sustainable. Indian craftsmanship provides a sustainable solution for designers to incorporate traditional skills into luxury products. This manner of production eliminates textile waste producing in small quantities, unlike mass productions that involve machinery. Indian crafts are more environmentally friendly than the fast-fashion products dominating the market. The quality of Indian craft makes it an investment in wardrobes and can pass down generations, unlike fast-fashion items that are thrown away within months.
A Comprehensive Guide to Indian Craftsmanship in Fashion
If you’re interested in Indian craftsmanship, and would like to explore the same, here’s your comprehensive guide:
1. Knowledge about Indian Craft Forms:
India is a land of diverse cultures with various traditional art forms. For instance, the Banarasi silk from Banaras, the Chikankari from Uttar Pradesh, the Kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh, and Bandhani from Rajasthan, are some of the traditional art forms present in India. Researching and gaining knowledge of these art forms is essential to appreciate and understand the traditional roots of Indian Craftsmanship.
2. Information on the Authenticity of the Products:
When purchasing Indian crafts, ensure that the product is genuine and handmade. Products that are produced using machinery and imitating the traditional craft are not genuine and may affect the artisan’s livelihood. Research the brand’s sourcing techniques and ensure the materials used are natural.
3. Support Local Artisans:
Support the local Indian artisans who have been preserving these art forms for centuries. Purchasing from authentic sources helps the artisans continue their work and their workshops running for years to come. It’s an investment in keeping the craft heritage form alive.
4. Embrace Sustainable Fashion:
Sustainable fashion is the need of the hour, and Indian craftsmanship is an eco-friendly solution to a fast-fashion world. Investing in traditional craft works contribute to both slow fashion and sustainable fashion.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Indian craftsmanship is a treasure with an immense amount of potential. It not only adds value to the luxury fashion industry but also provides sustainable livelihoods for the local artisans. Maria Grazia Chiuri, through her work at Dior, has been able to create a bridge between traditional crafts and the modern world, which will set an example for future designers to promote more sustainable living.
If you’re interested in Indian craftsmanship, then conduct your research and support the artisans who are putting their heart and soul into preserving it. By incorporating Indian craftsmanship into your wardrobe, you’re contributing towards a sustainable livelihood system for the local community.