430Madhu Jain hosted an evening to introduce her Spring-Summer Collection at Ogaan, with  Smt. Maneka Gandhi, inaugurating the collection along with notable guests Poonam Bhagat, Tikka Shatrujit Singh, Ambika Shukla, Neelam Pratap Rudy, Shovana Narayan, Alpana Gujral, Ruchi Malhotra Makhni amongst others.

My fresh collection showcases a confluence of two cultures—Indian and Uzbek—that share so much in common. Seeing the unifying threads in the traditional weaves of two different regions is something that enthuses and challenges me. In Andhra, for instance, Ikat fabric is produced on pit looms, and semi-circular frames are used in the preparation of warp and weft. The design sensibility leans towards geometricals. In Odisha, on the other hand, Ikat is inspired by temple motifs and also by nature. So, you will notice parrots, flowers, elephants, and deer. And also, Navagunjara, an animal that is considered to be an incarnation of Vishnu, and which you will find incorporated in Odisha’s traditional Pattachitra paintings. I took both sets of elements and combined them to come up with contemporary weaves that remain rooted in the traditional forms,” says Madhu.

While her Uzbek-inspired collection consists of cotton or silk Ikat coats which are often created as robes of honor and formal gifts. They were worn only by the nobility or by rich merchants who could afford to buy these exquisite creations. The colour palette is rich and very, very royal in reds, golden-yellows, incandescent purples.