Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India Ahmedabad on Friday organised a fashion show to seamlessly blend heritage with contemporary lifestyle. Weaves and fabric of artisans trained by EDII under the Hastkala Setu Project, were designed by Indian fashion designers to create outfits for the event.
Jagdishbhai Vishwakarma, Minister of Cottage Industries, Gujarat inaugurated the Fashion Show. IAS Pravin Solanki , Secretary & Commissioner of Cottage & Rural Industries also graced the event. The Hastakala Setu Yojana is supported by the Department of Cottage and Rural Industries, the Government of Gujarat.
Speaking about the Hastkala Setu Yojana Jagdishbhai Vishwakarma said, “This project is focused on bringing artisans to the forefront, connecting them with contemporary markets by imparting relevant training and exposure. The efforts have stimulated the development and preservation of local crafts in a sustainable and commercially viable way. The outcomes have encouraged the artisans and weavers to explore the potential.”
Heritage handlooms on display
The show displayed heritage handlooms like Kala Cotton, Mashroo, Ajrakh, Tangalia, Sujani, Ashavali, and Double Ikat Patola woven by artisans from all over Gujarat and creatively styled by prominent designers Anuj Sharma, Gaurav Jai Gupta, Padmaja Krishnan, Yogesh Chaudhary, Anisha Khiyani, Ujjwal Dubey, Karishma Shahani Khan, Gaurav Khanijo and Nishigandha Khaladkar.
Stressing on the importance of the collaboration with designers, Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, said, “Engaging entrepreneurship trainers and designers with craftspeople is helpful for the regeneration of traditional crafts, product development, imparting business skills and expanding avenues broaden business horizons for the country’s traditional crafts. Platforms like these give them an opportunity to showcase their products. These efforts will also boost the demand for traditional craft products.”
All about Hastakala Setu Yojana
The Hastakala Setu Yojana, commenced in 2020, is the first innovative project of Gujarat Government to transform the rural entrepreneurship ecosystem by reaching out to youths and artisans in the state to get outcome-based results. Under the project, each district will have Gujarat Cottage Industries Development Centre (GCIDC) to fulfil various need-based support. The project covers 33 districts across Gujarat and has trained about 10,000 artisans through 354 training/capacity building programmes.
