At a time when it’s increasingly important for brands to communicate how they are bettering the fashion industry, Indian label Péro’s latest offering was highly celebrated at the Sustainable Fashion Day during Lakmé Fashion Week’s Summer/Resort 2020 edition.
For Indian fashion designer Aneeth Arora, carefully weaving ancient techniques with modern trends has become the signature of her label Péro, and her latest offering did not disappoint.
Teaming with traditional hand-weavers’ co-operative Bhuttico along with The Woolmark Company, Péro captured the essence of the ongoing conversation of promoting and connecting local artists and artisans within the modern fashion scene. With a colour palette of blues, khaki and white, Péro’s grunge-chic collection heroed Australian Merino wool – an extension on the global authority in wool’s Grown in Australia, Made in India campaign. Merino wool has long been a fibre of choice for Aneeth Arora – who is also an alumnus of the prestigious International Woolmark Prize. 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable, the fibre’s durability, versatility and trans-seasonality makes Merino wool garments ideal for India’s varied climate.
Left: Indian fashion label Péro partnered with hand-weavers Bhuttico and The Woolmark Company for its latest wool-rich collection. Right: Indian fashion label Péro partnered with hand-weavers Bhuttico and The Woolmark Company for its latest wool-rich collection.
“This collection is very close to my heart as it has given me the opportunity to work with The Woolmark Company and showcase Merino wool in a new way,” explains Péro designer Aneeth Arora. “Given the inherent versatility of the fibre, it can be woven into intricate patterns without causing any aberration to the design. The fabrics were meticulously woven by the weavers of Bhuttico using the extra weft technique where each thread is inlayed by hand to create patterns while weaving the fabric on the loom, a technique as intricate as hand embroidery. We are excited to have showcased this collection that pays homage to our handloom industry.”
Moving into the picturesque town of Kullu, at the foothills of the grand Himalayas, Péro was inspired by the work of the traditional artisans, helping to visualise the revival of traditional geometric patterns of Pattu - a drape-style dress traditionally worn by the women of Kullu - in monochrome colours. Combining Merino wool with traditional Indian weaves, the collection is an immaculate demonstration of the craftsmanship of the weavers and designer and the seamless partnership between all three brands involved, reviving an iconic industry.
Together, Péro and Bhuttico explored the extra weft weaving technique, where intricate patterns are woven into the fabric, similar to embroidery on a loom. The collection also used recycled water-repellent tarpaulin with special handwoven Kushi Kullu tapes, transforming the garments into more functional, flexible pieces.
Left: Indian fashion label Péro partnered with hand-weavers Bhuttico and The Woolmark Company for its latest wool-rich collection. Right: Indian fashion label Péro partnered with hand-weavers Bhuttico and The Woolmark Company for its latest wool-rich collection.
“Lakmé Fashion Week is one of the largest and most renowned fashion weeks in the country and we are really excited to partner with The Woolmark Company for the third time and bring a fresh technique to Merino wool,” said Satya Prakash Thakur from Bhuttico. “Through this collaboration not only do we get to present our craftsmanship at Lakmé Fashion Week, but we also get to bring the designs from our local town and retail them here. Péro will further take the fabric created with Merino wool to international markets which will give us recognition at a global level.”
The collection will be available across 250 to 300 stores in 35 countries later this year.
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