The Kashmir Valley, its landscape and crafts are stitched into couturier Rohit Bal’s design DNA. What makes it one-of-its-kind is the fact that the garments have been stitched by nine women from Kashmir. Mentors for the first two seasons have included designers and Indian brands like Soham Dave, Shaila Khubchandani, founder of the fashion label Crow, and Kerala-based label Rouka’s Sreejith Jeevan. “We wanted to work in Kashmir for its inherent strength in craft and artisanship," says Chhaya Shriram, director of Usha International, who, like Bal, is also from Kashmir. Bal and Usha Silai are already working on a second collection that will build on the women’s skills.

Source: Mint April 21, 2019 06:56 UTC