Designer Rahul Mishra brings chic to Gandhi fabric

By David Lalmalsawma

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - His innovative reversible and seamless designs have won applause from India's fashionistas but what's unique about designer Rahul Mishra's garments is the fabric -- all handmade by village weavers.

Millions of weavers in India still manufacture textiles using handheld looms and Mishra wants the benefits of high fashion to trickle down to these traditional craftsmen.

"I try to give khadi (handspun cloth) a chic look so that it can appeal to international buyers as well as Indian buyers," Mishra said in an interview with Reuters.

The designer won rave reviews on his debut at India 's premier fashion week in October with visiting French fashion doyen Didier Grumbach describing him as "the commercial success" of the event.

Mishra said his use of traditional fabrics was based on the philosophy of his idol, Mahatma Gandhi, India 's iconic freedom fighter who advocated the use of khadi and championed the cause of the poor.

"A Gandhian fabric, a Gandhian philosophy can go really far and that is what this world needs today."

Mishra first began dabbling in traditional textiles in 2006 as part of a student project which he later showcased during a fashion week in Mumbai.

He has since used Indian handspun fabrics like Banarasi silk, tie-and-dye cotton, Maheshwar cotton and Bhagalpur silk from various parts of the country.