WeaverStory — an online store for aut-hentic Indian handlooms/crafts is determined to bring the best of the craftsmanship to the world and help the struggling craftsmen with a window to showcase their best products. They have been focu-sing predominantly on the Banarasi weaves, and reviving designs from museums and traditional forms from annals, and working with weavers themselves.
The store has been developing new and old motifs, patterns to suit the contemporary audiences so as to encourage them to wear saris daily. It has been woven in different shapes, sizes and colours for centuries and continuously reminds us of the versatility of our handloom heritage.
WeaverStory invariably serves as a space for engagement with the country’s rich textile history. With the archaic laborious weaving techniques that the weavers have perfected with time, they focus on displaying culture on the six yards of elegance.
Its latest collection has a beautiful Banarasi patola saree in a ravishing red with multicolour resham weave, navy blue kadhwa Banarasi jangla saree, peach and gold kadhwa Banarasi jangla saree with a diagonal floral pattern in gold and silver zari among other crafts.
The intricately woven pure Banarasi jangla saree with sona rupa zari is perfectly designed and woven for the wedding trousseau and the orange and pink shot colour Banarasi jangla saree with cutwork, woven with antique zari is a sure head turner. The store features an exclusive range of block printed saree by artist Alka Raghuvanshi. Her touch brings to the form a distinct and yet unique vibrancy with use of blocks and colours creating fusion of many techniques used in the handlooms.
Another focal point for WeaverStory has been on the revival by encouraging koras, cotton and georgette weaving. As for designs, while there are almost all forms in Banarasi weaves, be it jaals, chaas ki muthari, neelambari to name a few, they have made an exclusive range of shikargarh in different weaving styles like real silver zari, tanchois, kimkhabs besides the traditional zari work. So, adore yourself with the intricately woven pink shikargah saree and the lovely turquoise katan silk saree with kadhwa boota and a rich cobalt blue and zari border.
Peacock — the national bird and also the most used motif in Indian textile industry is the mascot/logo of the store. It has been woven in different shapes, sizes and colours for centuries and continuously reminds us of the versatility of our handloom heritage. A lot of fusion too is part of their craftsmanship.
For instance, traditional Banarasi will depict animals and hunting scenes reflecting northern Indian motifs, but the saris use the annapakshi and rudraksha designs from southern India too. Besides saris, they have extended their market to a natural ally in dupattas and lehengas.
It is beautiful how these weavers can weave almost real figures on these graceful drapes. The stunning deep blue katan silk saree with a Kadhwa meenakari bird woven in beautiful colours, the red kadhwa jangla saree with parrots nestled in leaves; black silver pure brocade saree with kadhwa mynah bird and the royal elephant on a stunning bottle green katan silk saree explain it all.
Some distinctive motifs that the weavers have perfected with time are paisley, floral, diamond and birds. It often takes more than a month to weave these classic motifs, which is a timeless treasure.
The writer is founder, Weaverstory