The Fabric of India at the V&A

Running as part of the V&A India Festival until 10 January, The Fabric of India exhibition is a must-see for fashion, textile and design lovers. Walk through the doors and you will be met by a riot of colour and a fabulous showcase of the creative talent, tradition and painstaking labour and skill that goes into the Indian handmade garment industry. The exhibition displays over 200 objects from the 3rd to the 21st century and takes you on a journey from early design, dyeing and pattern techniques, to expanding international trade and political reform, right up to designers at the forefront of Indian fashion design today.

All the colours of the rainbow

Spices and and natural materials and how they are used to expertly dye cotton, silk and other materials to create rich, beautiful shades, patterns and tones was fascinating. Indigo, magenta and deep yellow pigments are mixed in colour wells and clean fabric is then submerged and transformed. As you move around exhibit, you can touch materials and admire the really diverse range of colours and techniques and skills that are used.

Power dressing

India’s past as a former British colony and the development of industry and trade were highlighted. It was really interesting to see how Mahatma Ghandi utilised the power of garments and dress to drive home his message of economic self-sufficiency during the Indian Independence Movement. Ghandi wanted India to become self-reliant on cotton and remove the need to buy expensive goods and exports from Britain. Ghandi and his followers wore a khadi – a hand-spun and hand-woven cloth. The khadi gave this movement a visual cohesiveness and power. Ghandi was often filmed weaving on a spinning wheel, putting the importance of indigenous Indian design and industry on the global stage. India gained independence in 1947 and the charkha wheel (spinning wheel) adorns the centre of the flag, showing its symbolism and importance to the country.

The evolution of style

The exhibition is a fantastic platform for the human skill and creativity that is at the heart of Indian fashion and textiles. Embellishment, embroidery, draping, colour, weaving and dyeing techniques have been incorporated into fashion for so long and to see traditional elements work in cohesiveness with modern fabrics and style is breathtaking.

The final room in the exhibition is dedicated to this fabulous and exciting style evolution. The sari, khadi and traditional prints are now mixed with graphic printing, new materials and global cultural influences. I loved the projections on to the final wall by street style photographer, Manou. To be inspired, have a read of his street style blog Wear About. India is such a diverse and culturally rich country and style and fashion goes hand-in-hand with this. I learned a lot at this exhibition and I urge you to go. It’s a visual feast and you will see some truly stunning designs, fabrics and garments.

Tickets costs £14 (concessions available) V&A members go free.

The V&A is open daily from 10.00-17.45 and until 22.00 every Friday.