Kochi: Handloom units in weav-er’s village of Chenda-mangalam are coming up with value-added products. Chendamangalam Weaver's Society is all set to introduce organically made clothes for newborns and infants, which will also cater to the international market.
“We are planning to launch the product by the month-end before the Onam festival shopping season begins. Handloom fabric and the chemical-free dye will be used for making the infants’ dress. Initially, the natural dye will be sourced from handloom units in other areas,” said the president of the Paravur Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society and state committee member of Kerala state Handloom Workers Union (CITU).
Though handloom units in other districts like Kannur have been manufacturing several unique value-added products which are even being exported to foreign countries, the Chendamang-alam weavers were focusing on traditional products like dhotis and sarees.
“The natural dye made from Catechu (Karingali) will be used in the handloom fabric, and the dressmaking has no chemical processing involved. The Catechu dye will make the dress cooler, which will be skin-friendly and comfortable for newborns. The dress will be available in zero-size for newborns in the first phase,” said Aswathy Soman, fashion designer, who was working with National Handloom Development Programme of textiles ministry.
It is after the revival of the sector, devastated by the 2018 floods that weavers started thinking of introducing more products, for which they got support from fashion designers and experts.
The designer shawls (dupatta) launched by the woman-only Kuriappilly handloom unit at Chendamangalam has become a big success.
Lakshmi Menon and Gopinath Parayil, the master brain behind the Chekkutty dolls made of the soiled and damp clothes, also planning to launch organic garments under the brand name ‘Chekutty Kuppayam’.
