WOVEN : KHADI

Khadi refers to hand-spun and handwoven cloth. The raw materials may be cotton, silk or wool, which are spun into threads on a ‘charka’ - a traditional spinning implement.

Khadi has an enduring romantic association with artisanal knowledge and hand making traditions that appeals to contemporary fashion designers, many of whom incorporate the fabric into their collections. 

Now is the time to recognise the beauty of khaki; deliciously soft, delicately textured and retains the natural property of cotton normally damaged during the machine-spring process. It’s a pleasure next to the skin and dances and floats with movement. Each metre of cloth represents hours of efforts by farmers, spinners, weavers and dyers.

“The hand-loom weaver still exists amongst us, nor is it likely that he will ever cease to do so. Less likely still is it that machinery will ever be able to drive him from the field of India. The very fine and rich decorated fabrics of that country will probably always require the delicate manipulation of human fingers for their production.”

John Forbes Watson 1867