Ashtar, in collaboration with artisans from all over India, aspires to present a collection with a conscience. An exclusive range of fabrics, saris, unstitched suit pieces, ready to wear garments, dupattas and stoles, all created by craftsman specialized in each field. These, one-of-a-kind pieces are made using techniques such as Ajrakh, Bandini, Chikankari, Phulkari, Mithila, Madhubani and Mokais
h on India's finest silks, cottons and other hand woven fabrics. The unique color combinations and meticulous detail is what sets us apart from other such fabrics available in today’s market. To further enhance the uniqueness of our products, we decided to combine techniques, such as Ajrakh and Bandini – in which case the fabric is first worked on by one artisan, using a particular technique and then sent to another artisan, in a different part of the country to be completed, using an completely different technique. These processes allow for a communication in an unspoken language, between the artisans – crossing man made barriers and silently uniting the world of craft. Ashtar reinvests its earnings into conserving these age-old crafts that date back over thousands of years. It is our endeavor to create a sustained market for these products so that the artisans not only become economically independent themselves but also feel encouraged to pass on these skills to the generations to come. Manju Lulla initiated Ashtar in October 2011. After having done a little design work herself she decided that she needed to share, with more determination, her love for Indian textile and the potential she saw in it. While looking for artisans to collaborate with, Manju found that families lived on less than RS 800 per month. Even though their products are synonymous with high fashion and big labels, the artisans gained very little from the fame of their craft. Ashtar is a small effort on Manju’s part to revive the art of Indian textile and we sincerely hope that you too will support the cause. For further inquires, please contact [email protected]
