The ingenious couple has brought bygone traditions back to the centre stage, in the global upfront. During the time they were toying with the idea of entering the fashion industry, the likes of chikan, zardozi, kamdani, tukdi, appliqué and hand embroideries had become quite acceptable in the global market. This gave them the encouragement to move ahead with their idea.
Muzaffar Ali, essentially a painter and filmmaker deeply inspired by Sufism developed a discerning eye and vision for aesthetics and humanity. He established an in depth admiration for his creativity all over the world and followed his creative pursuits. Painter, poet, designer, film-maker, artist, music lover, revivalist and social worker by profession, Meera and Muzaffar Ali crossed all the boundaries of creativity, to project their talent and versatility.
Together, they design under their label "Kotwara". It was Muzaffar’s interest in crafts and clothes that motivated the couple to set up a fashion label in 1990.
- In 1991 Kotwara Exhibited at Gallerie Lafayette, Paris France
- In 1997 at Fashion Extravaganza India Today, Singapore
- 1998 showcased at the Kensington Hotel. London
- 1999 at Indian Summer, Chor Bizzare, London
- In 2000 they participated at the 1st India Fashion Week, New Delhi and since then have been regularly showcasing.
Kotwara believes that clothes are the epitome of inner grace and for that matter they don’t have to be expensive. They can transform a human figure, add an ethereal dimension to realism and are visionary and timeless. Having sketched clothes for twenty years interpreted them as silhouettes, as embroideries, as surface textures with the sensibility of a painter and filmmaker Muzaffur Ali has designed to provide a vocation in his village, Kotwara, to upgrade the craft of Chikan and Zardozi in his city, Lucknow and its environs. Muzaffar Ali’s cinematic experience celebrates with epic movies like Umrao Jaan, and though provoking Gaman, Aagman and Anjuman.
Meera and Muzaffar Ali are also actively involved with Dwar Pe Rozi, a movement working for empowering and educating women of the Kotwara region, by making them learn the art of craft and embroidery.
You can get Meera Muzaffar Ali at:
Kotwara, 301 Second Floor, DLF Emporio, New Delhi
