There’s something magical about handmade fabrics that mass-produced items just cannot replicate! This is especially true of traditional attires. Comparing the trousseaus of our grandmothers’ era to today, there’s undoubtedly a noticable difference in what we drape on ourselves. And we believe that the difference is handloom weaving, an art that’s quintessentially Kannadiga since the ancient times. The handloom aka ‘Magga’ has been so ingrained in our way of life in the past few centuries, it has even been mentioned in the literary works of legendary poets and authors.

But as they say, change is the only constant. It’s not surprisng that our relationship with the ‘Magga’ has seen its ups and downs. While the trade of weaving by hand flourished under ruling monarchs across the country, this artform took a major hit with the advent of colonisation. Under the British occupation, handloom weaving became more and more uncommon. However, the great news is that since our independence, the form of weaving with handlooms has been growing steadily. In fact today, the handloom industry is one of the largest cottage industries of the state and even contributes massively to employment and revenue!

At Latha Puttanna, we’re proud to play a part in this movement by dedicating our Autumn-Winter collection to this rare and almost-lost artform. Fittingly named ‘Magga’, our collection captures the magic of handloom fabrics and gives them a contemporary twist. So while the fabric is reminiscent of our past, the design is peppered with touches of modernity. The collection is inclusive of sarees, lehengas, kurtas, salwar sets, and more.

‘Magga’ is our sincere attempt to preserve our heritage by reviving the tradition of making handloom fabrics, and also popularising it among our fashion-savvy patrons.

Few fabrics stand the test of time like linen. From its texture and comfort to its versatility and style, linen has been around for thousands of years – and with good reason!

One of the most remarkable things about linen is that it loves water. Unlike most other fabrics, linen actually gets stronger the more you wash it. In fact, it is considered to be one of the most durable natural fibers in the world, so much so that it’s also incorporated when manufacturing paper money to boost its strength! And that’s not all, linen wasn’t just used to manufacture money, it was considered legitimate currency across ancient Egypt. Although linen was woven into its fabric form only by 5,000 BC, its rudimentary form of thread and rope has been around since 30,000 BC – making it the oldest textile in the world, even older than wool.

So how is linen made? It is sourced from a tall reed-like plant called flax, which is left to soak in water until the stem rots and separates from the soft fibres underneath. These fibres are then spun into thread, and eventually woven into a coarse cloth. While modern weaving techniques have made it possible for linen to be made finer and smoother, the unique texture and breathability of hand-woven linen still remains a perennial favorite.

Latha Puttanna’s latest collection of kurtas in organic hand-woven linens focuses on just that – comfort and breathability. Taking comfort chic to the next level, these loose-fitting cuts have been handcrafted for the modern woman who loves all things feminine and ethnic. The kurtas represent the perfect marriage between the organic artistry of linen weavers and the precise detailing of machine-made embroidery. Latha adds her unique touch to this texture-rich fabric by embroidering delicate pastel flowers thus creating simple, chic, and ultra comfortable separates.

Perfect for the extended monsoon, we think! Don’t you?

Ringing in the festive season in true traditional grandiosity, Latha Puttanna is all set to showcase her latest collections – Aramana and Yashoda – just in time for Diwali. These collections were displayed on 26th - 27th October, 2018 at the Taj West End.

Yashoda, Latha Puttanna has designed the entire collection using six vivid hues that perfectly reflect the festive season. Experimenting with unlikely combinations to create striking yet functional sarees, salwars, and langas, these numbers perfectly balance traditional, old-world designs with contemporary silhouettes. Woven with soft, flowy, and lightweight fabrics along with texture-rich weaves such as crepe, tissue, and georgette, these dresses are tailored to move with ease and are suited for all body types.  

The inspiration for this collection stems from the designer’s childhood. Latha says, “With Yashoda, I added my own twist to the traditional textiles and motifs of Karnataka to recreate the timeless sophistication of my favourite South Indian Super Stars such as Padmini, Saroja Devi  and Savitri. In fact, my mother also used to wear these langas and sarees in her younger days. Even in the black-and-white photos of yore, I could see the vibrant colours bursting out. Naturally, I had to bring them to life.”

Aramana, a collection celebrating pastels, will be relaunched with an extended selection of salwars and langas in addition to gorgeous sarees crafted in georgette, tissue, and net fabric. The collection highlighting subtle, earthy undertones also features intricate zardosi embroidery, woven Kanchivaram borders, aari work, as well as woven checks and polka in gold.

When it comes to traditional sartorial choices, few fabrics beat the elegance of silk. Tussar silk, also known by its Sanskrit name Kosa, is the apple of the designer’s eye, being woven and shaped into everything from sarees and salwars to lehengas and tunics.

Tussar is known for its rich, coarse texture that complements all skin tones and complexions. That’s not all, it perfectly balances its light and airy texture while being delicate and stiff. Perhaps our favorite thing about Tussar is that it is a season-less silk that keeps you warm in the winters and cool in the summers. What’s more, it’s just as popular across the globe as it is in India, and is commonly exported to Europe, the Gulf, and the United States.

So, how is it different from other silks? What sets Tussar apart is how it’s sourced. The silkworms that produce this silk do not feed on mulberry trees, as is common. Instead, they’re bred on wild forest trees in many parts of the country, making Tussar more affordable. Once the fibers are sourced, tribal women across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra weave the silk. In fact, the Kharsawa district in Jharkhand alone accounts for over 40% of all Tussar silk woven in the country! Weavers painstakingly put together this gorgeous fabric and take about three days to produce 10 meters of cloth.

Tussar’s true beauty is evident in Latha Puttanna’s Devitva collection, showcasing this luxurious silk embellished with intricate hand-made embroidery. These designs have been created with zero digital intervention, just like the good ol’ days – making them a true product of the bygone era! What’s more, these Tussar silk ensembles are designed for functionality and value for money, making them the ideal showstoppers at the workplace or social events.

At Latha Puttanna, we’re going ga-ga over Tussar! Are you?

In a small town in Madhya Pradesh, the finest handloom weavers in the country created a fabric – named after the town itself – that would go on to become the favorite of kings, queens, and fashionistas alike. And in the centuries to come, this delicate, shimmering fabric would become the highlight of every fashion lover’s wardrobe.

We’re of course talking about Chanderi. Blessed with a rich, sheer texture and paired with intricate gold zari work, Chanderi is an interesting and versatile fabric. What’s more, the story of its inception is even more interesting.

While most historians and connoisseurs agree that the true evolution of the fabric began in the late 1800s, Chanderi was believed to be created in the Vedic Period by Shishupal – yes, Lord Krishna’s cousin! It later became the fabric of choice amongst Indian queens during Mughal rule. Later in 1910, the Scindia royal family in Central India began patronizing Chanderi sarees, thereby giving rise to the first cotton muslin saree.

Chanderi witnessed its first major transformation in the 1930s, when traditional weavers discovered Japanese silk and began incorporating it into the saree fabric. And thus, Chanderi silk was born! Today, this sheer and lightweight fabric is available in three types – pure silk, pure cotton, and a silk-cotton blend.

It was these royal connections that inspired Latha to design her new Spring Summer collection – Devitva – a range of salwars in luxurious Chanderi silk in pleasing earthy colors, replete with intricate hand embroidery and free-flowing cuts. Recreating the grandeur of the Mughals and the Scindias, Devitva is devoted to the timeless fashion and evergreen classics of yore – perfect for every weather.

After all, while trends and come go, true class like Chanderi never goes out of style.