With Rah, one of my goals is to bring Indian textiles into the everyday wardrobe, and what better way to do that than with Kantha jackets?
Today, I'm thrilled to delve into the captivating world of Kantha fabric and how the idea for our Kantha jackets originated!
On one of my trips to Jaipur, amid the lively hustle and bustle of Jaipur's textile-rich lanes I stumbled upon mesmerizing vintage Kantha quilts. It was love at first sight! The intricate stitches, the bursts of color, the stories woven into each thread—it was all too captivating to resist. And that’s when it hit me: why not turn these timeless pieces into wearable art?
The word "Kantha" means "patched cloth" in Sanskrit. Kantha is a traditional form of embroidery- a simple running stitch, often in a decorative pattern. It originated from the Indian subcontinent, particularly from the regions of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Kantha embroidery was used as a way to repurpose old textiles into usable items such as quilts, blankets, and wraps. Women in rural communities would stitch layers of old cloth together using the Kantha technique, creating warm and functional household items. Over time, Kantha evolved into a form of artistic expression, with artisans incorporating various motifs, symbols, and designs into their work.
When I saw the distinct sides of the Vintage Kantha Quilts, I knew the jackets had to be reversible. Reversible jackets have always held a special place in my heart—I mean, who doesn't love the versatility of having two distinct sides to choose from, depending on the mood of the day? Our collection has 2 styles. The first style offers a glimpse of both sides of the Kantha quilt, often displaying distinct patterns and colors. The second style combines Kantha on one side with a lively and vibrant Ikat print on the other.
Creating these jackets proved to be both fascinating and enlightening, I learnt some valuable lessons along the way. Firstly, not all quilts are suitable for jacket-making. Thick quilts tend to lack the desired drape, making it challenging to achieve that perfect fit. Moreover, attempting to add buttonholes to such thick fabric poses its own set of difficulties.
Secondly, stitching buttons onto reversible jackets turned out to be trickier than anticipated. Initially, our production facility stitched the buttons in a manner that made opening them a bit of a hassle. Determined to overcome this hurdle, I took matters into my own hands—quite literally. With perseverance and a fair share of pricked thumbs, I hand-stitched each button onto the jackets, tallying up to a whopping 15 buttons per piece. But hey, after countless pricks, I can proudly say I've mastered the art.
While I try not to play favorites among Rah products, I must admit, this one has me truly excited. Each of our jackets is not just unique but a genuine one-of-a-kind piece! How often do you get the chance to own something truly one-of-a-kind, something that no one else in the world has?
I hope you enjoyed the story behind our Kantha jackets and I sincerely hope you derive as much joy from wearing them as I did from creating them!
Until next time,
Pritika