Perfect Patola: A Memoir

Abstract

<p>Perfect Patola is a reincarnation designed to create a statement of ikat artisan textiles from the designer’s collection of sarees in an aesthetically pleasing gown that highlights cultural roots, artisan appreciation, personal meaning, and sustainable thinking. Ikat textiles is a beautiful and laborious art form created through a multistage process of marking, binding, dyeing, weaving, and subtle manipulation of yarns. However, with the advent of modern printing machines that have the capability of printed imitations, the appreciation of this textile comes only by understanding the hard work of hands that touches the materials and spatial and mathematical thinking to create the ikat. Further, this gown is designed thoughtfully to minimize waste and preserve the integrity of the delicate fabric, thereby utilizing all of the saree material that constitutes the main body of the semi-fitted bodice and full skirt, with accents and a scarf from remnants of other sarees.</p>