Corp Executive Hotel Apartments РAl Barsha will play host to a beautiful exhibition of hand-embroidered material, dresses (kurtis and salwar kameez) and sarees designed by well-known fashion designer Manju Jalota from October 30 to November 1. On sale will be a range of exquisite haute couture creations as well as a gorgeous pr̻t a porter collection. Expertly embroidered, each piece is unique.
Aamir Pervez, General Manager, Corp Executive Hotel Apartments, said, “Manju has played a pioneering role in the revival of traditional Indian chikankari craft placing it on international catwalks and we are truly proud to showcase her extraordinary work in Dubai. This gorgeous 3-day exhibition will give visitors an opportunity to discover the varied Indian fabrics and age-old embroidery and printing craft.â€
Manju began her journey in the fashion world over 14 years ago with the creation of her label Alankrit in the historical city of Lucknow. The medieval city is famous for its contribution to art and culture including the then dwindling craft of ‘chikankari’. With an unconventional mix of mediums in both traditional and contemporary styles, the highly talented designer gave a new lease of life to not only chikankari but other types of embroideries too. This in turn provided livelihood to hundreds of local artisans and craftsmen and gave them a better quality of life.
Elaborating on her love for traditional fabrics and embroidery, Manju said, “Embroidery for me is an art that is an epitome of inner grace. Each piece of mine is an expression of this inherent grace. My objective has always been to merge the past with the present in order to produce something you can cherish as truly valuable. I have tried to nurture the dying craft of chikankari by infusing it with modern style that in turn rekindled the romance of chikan.â€
Today over 5,000 workers are associated with Alankrit spread across 40 villages around Lucknow. Manju’s exceptional contribution to the preservation and promotion of traditional Indian embroideries has been duly recognized by numerous awards and honours including the prestigious Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award, Bharat Jyoti Award and FICCI’s Most Outstanding Women Entrepreneur 2001–2002.
This season Manju’s creativity reaches new heights. Sheaths of shimmering chiffons, feather-light organzas, seductive silks, exotic crepes, vintage voiles, gorgeous georgettes, flowing crepes, luscious cottons and elegant jutes brilliantly come together in a spectacular collection. Different styles of dyeing and block printing such as bandini, ikat, kalmkari, dabo, bandej, lehariya and baghru provide splashes of vibrant colour. Each outfit is bedecked with awe-inspiring embroidering ranging from chikankari to kamdani, zardozi, machine bead kantha, ari and Parsi styles. The result is an ethnic spectacle not to be missed. Manju said, “My outfits are first and foremost designed to reflect the sensitivity, poise and individuality of the wearer.â€
- Exhibition at Corp Executive Hotel Apartments – Al Barsha will run from October 30 to November 1, 2010
- Timings: 9.00 am to 8.00 pm
- All items will be on sale
