Krishna Mehta

Summary

Indian eponymous fashion brand Krishna Mehta was launched in 1988 and is acclaimed for its understated collections made using indigenous textile craft and techniques. A celebration of the nation’s rich textile craft.. the brand has witnessed an accelerated growth over the years both in India and overseas and is present all over India, North America and parts of Europe.

History

Indian eponymous fashion brand Krishna Mehta was launched in 1988 and is acclaimed for its classic understated elegance. The brand has witnessed an accelerated growth over the years both in India and overseas and is present all over India, North America and parts of Europe.

Krishna Mehta collections celebrate the eternal love story of art and craft. “I’ve always been obsessed with fabrics, colours and textures” she explains in a note on her official website. The fashion designer has always been a champion of hand craftsmanship and ethical production with an artisanal legacy spanning forty years. “So many skills of different artisans, art mediums and minds treating the subject with a vivid energy on a handloom, with a block, a brush, or a needle and thread, with their simple traditional techniques, with their own perspective, come together adding to the purity and power to bring the collections to life!”

Since its inception the brand has promoted Indian culture by blending it with contemporary fashion- be it prêt or haute couture. Per Pernia’s Pop-Up: “The timeless craftsmanship matched by innovation has been a key principle at the house of Krishna Mehta’s print and craft legacy. Living in times of dynamic potential and promising opportunities, the brand aims towards achieving phenomenal breakthroughs.”

Krishna Mehta’s production process is simple. Per the official website: ‘Traditional Indian textiles are used in a very modern way. Being sourced from the best; brocades from Varanasi, jamdanis from Bengal, tussars from Bhagalpur and silk mals from Maheshwar, these fabrics produce a symphony of meticulously treated silhouettes.’ This is followed by dying using tried and tested methods like single color dyeing- shade dying- Ombre effect or shibori.. all tried over hundreds of samples to determine the perfect method for the final garment.

Handblock printing is used extensively in the collections. Using hand carved wooden blocks by artisans from Farukhabad.. Krishna Mehta’s designs and motifs are molded and combined to create traditional as well as contemporary designs. Discharge or Pigment Dyes are used to bind these designs with the fabrics. Lastly the tied, dyed or textured fabric is hand embroidered or machine embroidered.

The fashion designer has always believed in giving back and works with the differently-abled. She has taken a course in communicating with them at a young age and in 2014 the collection was block-printed and texturized by the children of SPJ Sadhana School and the young individuals of Om Creations. Through these organizations, Krishna Mehta achieved her dream of empowering the differently abled.

Palanpur-based Palak was a dream that Krishna Mehta strived to make into a reality. She started by posting an advertisement in all the local newspapers for the hearing and speech impaired to come in for an interview if they were interested in learning the art of handblock printing and quilting.. dying and other textiles processes. Per the official website: “Everyone who tried to block print and managed to keep a steady hand- no matter the time it took to complete the task- were grouped together. All the skilled women who could stitch were taught how to quilt and were also grouped together… She aimed to provide these individuals with consistent work… This organization was later dissolved but still remains a beacon of hope and a plan that may be realised in the future.”

Mission Statement

The fashion brand celebrates and preserves India’s rich textile heritage by combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. She is committed to empowering artisans, particularly those from marginalized communities, by providing them with sustainable livelihoods through the mastery of textile crafts. The brand strives to create luxury garments that embody the beauty of India’s cultural legacy and promote ethical production practices. By combining artistry, innovation, and social responsibility, Krishna Mehta’s brand mission is to contribute positively to the craft community and the environment.

Vision

Krishna Mehta’s vision for fashion combines the timeless beauty of India’s rich textile heritage with a modern, global aesthetic. She is passionate about reviving and celebrating indigenous handcrafts, combining them with contemporary design to create pieces that are luxurious and rooted in tradition. Her collections are a canvas where craftsmanship meets innovation, bringing together a variety of techniques like handblock printing, hand embroidery, and hand dyeing to create silhouettes that transcend trends. Krishna Mehta’s ability to integrate the ancient with the modern has made her a pioneer in sustainable luxury fashion, with each garment telling a unique story of artistry and culture.

At the core of her vision is the commitment to ethical production and empowering local artisans, particularly those from marginalized communities. She has been an advocate for working with the differently-abled, providing them with training in traditional textile crafts. This initiative aims to ensure these artisans gain a sustained livelihood while preserving India’s handcrafting traditions. Krishna’s philanthropic approach to design fosters not only cultural preservation but also social inclusivity, showcasing the potential for fashion to make a positive social impact.

Krishna Mehta’s design philosophy is rooted in her love for fabrics, colors, and textures. She draws inspiration from India’s textile regions, using brocades, jamdanis, and tussars to craft modern silhouettes with a cultural essence. Her creations are a celebration of craftsmanship, with each piece reflecting a meticulous attention to detail. The brand’s vision strives to create a lasting legacy of craftsmanship, sustainability, and empowerment, bridging the gap between tradition and modern design.

Key Team

Krishna Mehta (Founder)

Recognition and Awards

Krishna Mehta is recognised for shining the spotlight on indigenous textile crafts and handcrafting modern silhouettes using textile techniques from across the nation. The initiative is not limited to a single collection and is built into a sustainable model for all her collections. Moreover, this also becomes a repository of the country’s textiles, which are then designed in today’s contemporary design language.

Products and Services

Indian fashion brand Krishna Mehta retails luxury pret and haute couture for men and women. Mehta’s balance between her signature style and regional textile tradition always leads us on an intellectual journey. For Spring Summer 2013 – one of her best till date – the show opened with a flute recital followed by folk music as models showcased garments handcrafted from hand-woven tribal weaves in silk, wool and tweed. The designer maintained an architect’s eye for detail, precision and no-holds-barred approach to classic glamour i.e. saris with ornate waistcoats, embroidered woven cropped tops worn over wide pants and cotton lehengas with four-button kurtis.

References

• Official website Krishna Mehta
• Step inside Krishna Mehta’s beautiful new store Elle Decor
• Giving back Krishna Mehta
• Pop into Krishna Mehta’s new concept store in Mumbai Architectural Digest
• The style scientist The Hindu
• Facebook profile of Krishna Mehta Facebook
• Instagram profile of Krishna Mehta Instagram
• Pintrest page of Krishna Mehta Pintrest
• Krishna Mehta Pernia’s PopUp
• I’m just a drop in the ocean, says designer Krishna Mehta DNA India
• Krishna Mehta’s modern silhouettes Times of India
• Designers must integrate fabrics from various regions: Krishna Mehta Indian Express
• Krishna Mehta: Elegance Personified Global Fashion Street
• Traditional textiles to be spotlight in Krishna Mehta’s collection Economic Times
• LFW:Traditional textiles to be spotlight in Mehta’s collection Business Standard