Pilitaxi’s Devi Edit, a fashion and lifestyle exhibition held in association with t2 at The Villa in Ballygunge, recently, saw 25-plus environment-conscious brands come together from all over India for a festive showcase. Here’s what we liked.
(From left) 1. Inspired by Ramananda Bandyopadhyay's artwork that once featured on Desh Patrika, Debasish Biswas has created this Durga illustration on this simple white tee. Price: Rs 1,200
2. This handwoven jamdani kurta is synonymous with tradition and can go with any auspicious occasion.
"Jamdani is timeless and will never go out of fashion. Our other offerings include rare-to-find materials. We cater to varied segments of buyers. Also. we believe Durga Puja is no longer confined to just red and white. They want to sport a variety of materials and designs. They want to avoid heavy outfits. On the other hand, sequins are in demand these days. Our glitter and glam section is very popular and it caters to both men and women alike. We have a lot of twinning outfits", said actor Trina Saha, owner of Cloth, a clothing line she jointly owns with husband, actor Neel Saha.
Price: Rs 2,500 onwards
3. We loved this beautiful artwork by Red Ochre. This one is a stunning piece of ink sketch on the lines of Madhubani style on a mounted, irregular bark wood. The artwork shows a cluster of women with the body of a bird engaged in a free-wheeling conversation. The birds represent the liberation of thoughts and soul while the fishes in the hair depict unabated flow of emotions. Price: Rs 8500
Find them at @redochreindia on Instagram
(From left) 1. Inspired by Odisha's pattachitra, eminent pattachitra artist Prakash Chandra Patra has made this beautiful creation called Devi. Madhukari works with clusters of artists from across India without any middleman and brings to the spotlight our traditional handmade art forms.
Price: @Madhukari, price of the short neckpiece: Rs 1,000, price of the long neckpice: Rs 1,800
Find them @madhukaari on Instagram
2. Artiste Aditi Chakraborty's paintings inspired this brass jewellery available @Anki Bunki by Aditi, price of the short neckpiece, Rs 5,800, price of the long neckpiece: Rs 15,000
Find them @anki_bunki_ aditi on Instagram
3. These grass jhumkas were eye-catchers. Attached pink stones are Inspired by Jadau Jewellery. @Adikara, prices started at: Rs 4,500
Find them @aadikara on Instagram
(From left) 1. This ceramic choker featuring brass ghungroos is from Chaakmati., a homegrown brand known for its handmade jewellery. The neckpiece below with a single ceramic plate features brass ghungroos and additionally an old Indian coin. Choker price: 3,500. Neckpiece price: Rs3,800
Find them @chaakmati on Instagram
2. These lightweight green hoops at Noupelle Studio are made from upcycled leather. The glass beads are all hand-embroidered. Price: Rs 2190
Find them @noupellestudio on Instagram
3. As part of the Shakti series, artist Roshini Bhattacharya has created this artwork on this spacious cotton canvas tote bag that comes with a zip. Here 'I am power" denotes the goddess' divine power. The series is an ode to important women in her life, especially her aunt who is a cancer survivor. @ noodledoodlebyrb, price: " Rs 500, find them @noodledoodlebyrb on Instagram
(From left) 1. This simple, elegant front- open chikankari cotton kurta from Sangraha Atelier came with fish motifs. The brand was all about sustainable and responsible chikankari embroidery practices and is currently working on preserving traditional embroidery styles.Price: Rs.5,200-
Find them @sangrahaatelier -on Instagram
2. We absolutely loved the decorative materials made of paper that decked up the venue. "Every piece is handmade, recyclable, and reusable,” said Bijaya.
3. This linen kurta and cropped jacket set was simple and stylish. @Chirag Nainani, price of kurta: Rs 5,000, price of jacket: Rs 3,500
Find them @chiragnainani -on Insta
(From left) "Pilitaxi's Devi Edit in Kolkata is about celebrating the goddess within us. Every year in Kolkata before Durga Pujo we do Devi edit, it’s a tribute to all those women who not only broke the stereotypes but also created an identity for themselves in their own field. We have curated a line of new brands from across India. We encourage our visitors to choose from brands promoting slow fashion. Pilitaxi thoughtfully curates ethical fashion and lifestyle brands that directly work with weavers, empowering women employees in rural areas and taking the legacy of Indian craftsmanship forward. We have had almost 20+ brands run by women entrepreneurs in this edition. Everyone is working on a new concept", said Bijaya Dutta, founder, Pili Taxi.
Trina Saha at Pilitaxi's Devi Edit