Most of us have seen patchwork since we were children, but it was only limited to the heavy blankets meant to keep us warm during the winter. Patchwork has, since then, made its way into the enthralling world of fashion today.
Also known as ‘piecework’, it is a form of needlework that entails sewing together scraps of fabric to create a larger design. The larger design is typically based on repeating patterns constructed with various fabric shapes and colours. Patchwork has no restrictions on design and allows for boundless creativity, which makes the end piece entirely unique.
Moving on from quilts and bedding, patchwork has gradually made a mark in apparels and high-end clothing.
While this trend fits right into the Y2K resurgence, it also touches upon a crucial topic: sustainability.
Sustainability has been at the forefront of conversations in every industry for the past few years. It has eventually seeped into the fashion domain during the pandemic for all the right reasons. Fashion, as a major contributor of global carbon emissions, plays a significant role in escalating climate change. To tackle this, fashion labels are now taking charge of their environmental impact and are moving towards mindful production.
Among India’s emerging sustainable brands, here are a few that dabble in patchwork!
DOODLAGE
Doodlage is a blend of exclusive and sustainable high street fashion. Established in 2012 by Kriti Tula, it has put upcycling and patchwork at the heart of its designs. The brand creates limited edition collections from waste fabrics sourced from factories in Delhi. Aimed at being a zero-waste brand, Doodlage uses leftover materials to create accessories, furnishing products, and packaging. Their range includes patchwork in dresses, shirts, trench coats, jackets, pants and more, including menswear. The patchwork collection is not limited to clothes, the label also has a range of wallets, tote bags and journals.
KA-SHA
Inspired by people and their stories, Ka-Sha by Karishma Shahani Khan focuses on both old and new artisanal techniques. Using those techniques, they incorporate patchwork into modern clothing. Celebrating hand-crafts, the brand has products ranging from bags to clothing. Each creation is crafted in natural fabrics and hand-dyed. They upcycle, recycle and mend their production waste into beautiful designs using eclectic crafts and innovation.
VERB by Pallavi Singhee
Founded in 2007, Verb by Pallavi Singhee is a womenswear fashion label based out of Kolkata, India. The brand is known for its breezy silhouettes, beautiful prints and textiles. Verb has recently added patchwork to its exquisite prêt-a-porter range of prints. Despite the fact that each collection is unique, the label’s philosophy remains centred on travel, tradition, and culture. Loved by the leading ladies in Bollywood, Verb by Pallavi Singhee has a range of pieces created with printed patchwork that instantly stand out.
