Designers Meera and Muzaffar Ali on the need for reviving traditional crafts and why they prefer couture to prêt

Designers Meera and Muzaffar Ali on the need for reviving traditional crafts and why they prefer couture to prêt

Designers Meera and Muzaffar Ali, who are known for creations that boast of different embroidery and technique from Lucknow, Kashmir, Hyderabad, Kerala and Bengal, will be showing in the city tonight as part of the Amazing Yards exhibition. They will be displaying their classic couture line with chikan and zardozi work based on the traditions of weaving and embroidery of Awadh. Meera says, “It is a festive collection, at the same time there will be a lot of elegant blacks and whites, embellished in a regal style.” An architect by profession, Meera and her husband filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, who’s also the Raja of Kotwara, have no formal training in design but have always supported the arts and textiles of India. “Everyday you hear of weavers in Varanasi closing shop...It’s important to support these crafts or soon there will be nothing left. Our fashion industry is based on craftsmanship and it’s up to designers to work on different concepts and weaves to keep with the changing lifestyles,” emphasises Meera. The duo also recently showcased their bridal line which had modern silhouettes with materials like velvet and net juxtaposed for a royal feel. Meera is also the president of a charitable organisation — Dwar Pe Rozi society, which gives employment at the doorstep.”When my husband was making Gaman he toyed with the idea as to why people leave their homes for employment. Our aim was to give jobs to people in their own surroundings. Teaching craftsmanship skills to the unskilled people of Kotwara, giving them that opportunity to earn locally. The society also runs a school for children in the area,” adds the designer. She admits that when it comes to selling large volumes, pret is the way to go, with a large middle class market. But they still prefer couture. “We are more interested in detailed craftsmanship in terms of finishing, weaving and embroidery. Since we’re both not from fashion backgrounds, our sense of style is different, it speaks of history and nostalgia and fits in with couture,” explains Meera. Aside from their designing ventures, the couple is also currently busy with their Sufi music festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau, which they’ve been organising since 2000. “The festival will take place next week in Jaipur with a number of local and international artistes performing. We will also be holding the same in New Delhi next March,” says Meera.