Handcrafted in India, GFDT promote khadi designers

Chintan Oza, chief strategist and curator of two leading organisations of Gujarat – ‘Handcrafted in India’ and Gujarat Fashion Designers’ Team (GFDT), has been promoting fashion designers, especially in the use of khadi. Designers promoted by Oza include those based in the US, the UK, Dubai, Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda and Rajkot.

Oza, who has been consulted by many multi-designer stores, fashion and lifestyle houses for his expertise and experience, considers “fashion as one of the globally recognised languages of communication these days”. Hence, using the potential power of fashion, he along with his associates –Siddharth Kohli (CEO, Handcrafted in India, Ahmedabad) and Heena Modi (CEO, GFDT, Surat) – has taken various initiatives in filling the gap between the indigenous fabrics and fashion industry which includes artisans, fashion designers, organisers, government as well as corporate firms.

They have strategised and curated various effective concepts to promote indigenous fabrics (khadi) amongst the youth – the future of the nation. As a part of this initiative, an historical fashion event was conceptualised during the Vibrant Gujarat Business Summit 2017 in January this year.

The fashion extravaganza featured an exclusive performance by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, two times Grammy award winner, playing the world famous ‘Vaishno Jan’ live for the fashion sequence in which renowned fashion designers of GFDT led by Modi showcased high fashion outfits made from khadi fabrics. The initiative was highly acknowledged and recognised globally for promotion of khadi. The event was supported by Government of Gujarat, Gujarat Tourism, iNDEXTc, ministry for development of north east region, governments of north-eastern states, Unite4Good and India Development & Environment Agency (IDEA).

Oza has also initiated various projects to support startups. Recently he has started mentoring young fashion designers from Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda and Rajkot for using khadi. He indentified a group of very talented and enthusiastic young fashion designers known as ‘Freedom Girls’ comprising of seven fashion designers who include Shweta, Jyoti along with Kinjal who is based out of Florida, US. He has started mentoring them for various fashion projects and guided them for exploring various opportunities for business in the designing sector.

He is also associated with designers who showcased in New York Fashion Week and other organisations in the US and Dubai for promotion of khadi globally. According to him, “Khadi has always remained in the heart and soul of every Indian. It has played a major role during the independence movement. It has always been a prime focus of promotions as it is considered the fabric of the future. It is also considered as one of the best sustainable fabrics and is preferred in all seasons.”