Rajesh Pratap Singh’s ajrakh jacket will be displayed in an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in london
International laurels are nothing new for designer Rajesh Pratap Singh but this is something special. The designer’s collection will be showcased at an exhibition at The Victoria and Albert Museum in london.
The Fabric of India, the exhibition at the museum, aims at exploring the captivating world of handmade textiles from India. It will be held from September 26, 2015, to January 10, 2016.
Singh’s iconic gamchcha jacket and ajrakh jacket will be displayed at the exhibition. His pieces are also a part of the museum’s permanent textile archive.Ajrakh jacket is a quintessential blend of hand-making skills with technology. The designer has recreated the traditionalajrakh print by integrating floral repeats as depictions of human skull imagery.
The gamchcha jacket, on the other hand, is a depiction of intricately woven handloom silk linen bringing together finesse in technique, design and craftsmanship. It also symbolises Indian heritage.
Singh is known for unifying local traditions with global aesthetics and this exhibition aims to manifest the key relationship between the rural artisan and the urban designer.
Says Singh, “Victoria and Albert Museum houses, arguably some of the finest textile collections in the world which include some immensely sought-after Indian textiles that have been preserved and treasured. The focus this time around is on Indian textiles which is welcome and due and I feel truly honoured to be a part of the Fabric of India exhibit.” The designer is famous for his adaptation of traditional techniques into contemporary forms.
From being appointed as the first Woolmark ambassador of India in January 2013 to showcasing his work at international fashion weeks, Singh has been a force in the Indian fashion industry. He has always promoted Indian craftsmanship on the international runways. It is thanks to designers like him that Indian textile techniques are popular worldwide.