Incredible Ikat

Ikat is incredible. Really! And I love the way designers have given this age old weaving tradition a contemporary twist, to create wonderful products. Creating Ikat fabric is no easy feat. Typically, the design is created by tying areas of the threads into bundles using wax or grass to prevent penetration of the dye. For better patterning, the weaver uses warp ikats, where they can see the pattern on the loom. In the weft ikat, one cannot see the design until the fabric is woven. Here are two products that caught my eye:

The pink sandals have been designed by Chondamma Cariappa, a creative art director who works with Bates Chi and Partners, Mumbai. This is Cariappa’s first line of shoes (available for sale). The Ikat fabric used to make these sandals have been sourced from Karoor (a village in Kerala, India). Check out her fetish for shoes on her blog The Sole Sisters.

We also love the way MUNY, a young and vibrant brand based in New York City, has worked with Ikat fabric to design this skirt for girls. Samara Mahendru (the face behind the brand), uses age-old Indian printing techniques to fashion her products. Besides clothing, Mahendru also does a wonderful range of quilts and blankets. I would definitely love to own a few things from her collection! Check out her work at www.munyshop.com.

Are there any Ikat products you love?

{Cover photo: Ikat screensaver by blogger Fellow Fellow, other photos by designers}