Farm To Fashion Initiative At The Lakmé Fashion Week, Summer Resort 2019

Péro by Aneeth Arora, The Woolmark Company, and Bhuttico Kullu Shawls have  collaborated on a project entitled 'Farm To Fashion' that will be unveiled at the upcoming edition of Lakmé Fashion Week, Summer Resort 2019.

Designer Aneeth Arora of Péro says, “We were inspired by the traditional textiles of Kullu and its artisans and worked in harmony to create a stellar collection in monochrome colours with tone-on-tone textures. This collaboration will present an amalgamation of Péro’s quirky takes on Bhuttico’s traditional weaves with Merino wool bringing them together - woven in one story which is truly aligned with what The Woolmark Company is all about and I cannot wait for everyone to see the collection that pays homage to our handloom industry.”

Marking the first collaboration for the trio, the collection comprises handwoven and handmade luxury garments made using Australian Merino wool and highlights India’s iconic handweaving tradition. The collaboration is a part of The Woolmark Company’s Grown in Australia, Made in India initiative and showcases handmade Merino wool textiles in Péro’s signature style. The traditional textiles of Kullu inspired Péro to work with the artisans to revive traditional geometric patterns of 'pattu' in monochrome colours with tone on tone textures in the shades of blue, khaki and off-white.

Satya Prakash Thakur from Bhuttico says, “We have explored a very different technique of extra weft weaving with Merino Wool where intricate patterns are woven into the fabric, literally like, embroidery on the loom. Not only do we get to present our craftsmanship at Lakmé Fashion Week, but we also get to bring the designs showcased to our local town and retail them here. Péro will further take the fabric created with Merino Wool to international markets which will give us recognition at a global level.”

Merino wool having strong eco-credentials as natural, renewable and biodegradable is the preferred choice of designers like Aneeth Arora. Bhuttico is one of the oldest co-operative weaving societies in India which has a long standing relation of more than 50 years with Australian merino wool.The collection is "grown in Australia, made in India" and will include handmade merino wool textiles created sustainably and with a fully teachable supply chain.

Péro recently travelled to Florence, Italy to showcase its latest menswear collection at the Pitti Uomo trade show and its children’s wear collection at Pitti Bimbo. The latter, which ran from January 17 to 19 at the Fortezza Da Basso, saw Péro present its fall/ winter collection to an international audience. The collection featured merino wool flowers, metal and sequin beaded flower patches, the brand’s signature checked textiles, and a menagerie of whimsical forest animals.

The Woolmark Company’s Country Manager India, Dilip Gianchandani said, “We take pride in highlighting Australian wool’s position as the ultimate natural fibre grown year-round. Our collaborations and projects in India are aimed at unfolding the natural and renewable story behind Merino wool to newer audiences. As we progress into an age with increasing consumer awareness, we’re confident that Merino wool’s natural proposition will hold truer than ever. Our co-created collection with Péro and Bhuttico highlights Merino wool and Indian craftsmanship seamlessly, pushing creative boundaries. The extra weft weaving technique is a new technique Bhuttico and Péro are exploring with Merino wool. We are excited to showcase Merino Wool along with Péro and Bhuttico at Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2019.” 

Lakmé Fashion week will run at Mumbai’s Jio Garden from January 30 to February 3.