From new-age textile embroidery to jewellery and accessories crafted by women from the hinterland, the 42nd edition of Indian Handicraft and Gift Fair-Autumn, offers almost everything with a stylised edge. By Team Viva
A European country house-style study table in cedar and teak combination, textured surfaces, Scandinavian clean lines for dining sets... a mother-of-pearl and brass candelabra, jacquards in muted colours and high-end decoratives....and all made in India. Business has never been so good at the Indian Handicraft and Gift Fair as it has been this year. For it is here, for the first time, that our folk arts have got a contemporary makeover after a thorough study of interbnational markets.
The tiny puppets at the stall by Afterskool Kolkata would prolong your stay and trust us, you won’t rue the time. You can’t leave the fair without running your fingers through the home linen products made by the village artisans from different states. They are perfect testimony for fine finish and silky smoothness. “It’s great not just participating, but to view the crafts of artisans from which we can also learn”, said Nidhi Agarwal of Afterskool. The kitchenware is all about looks, ergonomics and functionality, the artisans clearly having been coached in the grammar of international collectibles.This must be the reason why it has attracted over 500 buyers from across the world — Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece and Italy to name some. Buyers from more than 100 countries, including China, Japan, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, have also turned up for the expo, progressing at the Knowledge Park, Greater Noida. “It’s great to be part of such a big event. The exposure every time we get from here is huge. And till we interact with our Western buyers, we won’t be able to reinterpret their expectations with our grammar”, said Sudip Roy, who is in textile business and owns a factory in Nodia.
Organised by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the IHGF-Delhi autumn fair displays around 3000 products from home furnishings, designs, lifestyle, fashion jewellery, accessories, textiles and more. Other products on the display include gifts and decoratives, furniture, lamps and lighting, Christmas and festive decor, carpets, rugs, bathroom accessories, garden decoratives, and a lot more.All the 2950 stalls offer diverse, but unique products. For home style there are more than 300-plus trend specific designs. The fair showcases furniture pieces which are unique in architectural forms, fluidity and are at the same time individualistic, authentic, classy, orante and rustic. Perfectly designed in wood, metal, combinations and blends, enriched with cuts, carving, etching, inlay and paints, these aesthetic pieces would steal your heart. “The specialty of this edition of IHGF is that we have entrepreneurs from the Northeastern states. Also this is the first time that we have a complete stall for lights and natural fibres which we call Himalayan fibres”, said Rakesh Kumar, executive director EPCH. He added, “The products from all range and quality are on display where buyers can choose for high end, middle and mass consumers”.
The fair offers equal space for the traditional and rural artisans as it gives for established high-end entrepreneurs. “Our strength lies in tracing a fresh invasion of ideas and the expo is the right space to showcase it”, said Aman Khanna, partner Indesign. The products from Gramin Vikas Evam Chetna Sasthan Rajasthan range from traditional reverse appliqué or Bhart: in subtle pastels, deep earthy shades, bright hues and traditional motifs to heavy thread and mirror work. “Our range is an epitome of what one needs for a conscious home and office space. Fair trade and quality deliverance define our work ethics. We provide continuous training for the artisans to enhance their skills”, said Ruma Devi, president GVCS.
At the lamp and lighting corners, vibrant exuberance and festive sentiments bring out expressions of art and cultural influences to usher in the festive spirit that is embraced without exception. A variety of lamps, wall art, opulent wrapping ideas, hangers, stocking, tree skirts, nutcrackers are on display. Coming to the fashion jewellery accessories to apparel there is an amalgamation of varied traditions, urban styling, eye catching lines, mixed material, colours and contrast of sorts. Themes of the collection range from purely, contemporary, luxury, mystical, festive, occasion wear to bohemian.An eclectic range of sophisticated bath products, natural hand-made cleansers, therapeutic candles, potpourri and exotic aromatherapy items score high among the wellness products from India. “Among the Indian products, the range is mostly hand-crafted, eco-friendly as the raw materials are from natural fibres and dyes with minimal use of machines —only for finishing purposes,” the executive director further said.
The biggest B2B exhibition in the NCR region it boasts a 1,90,000 square meters covered space of display. EPCH conducts an impact study after every fair that helps it to make ever edition more special.
As Rick Haase and Kate Anderson from the Unite States said “the products at each successive IHGF are extremely beautiful and more innovative than ever”.
“I am quite impressed by the craftmanship here. I believe that India has lot of talented designers and good factories. I have already placed orders for linen with block prints and few of the marble print products. The quality and variety in the fair have certainly made me hopeful for making more good business, said Teo Yang, a buyer from China.
The fair will conclude on October 18.