What to expect while buying artisan fabrics?

1) Customized look- each artisan interprets the design, fabric per their perception. It is almost impossible to find 2 designs given to 2 artisans look the same. There is usually some variation ranging from minor differences in hand woven to major differences in embroidery. This results in clothing that showcases the differences in human perception and creativity beautifully.

2) More than a materialistic addition to our daily lives. Artisans spend anywhere from few days to a year or so dedicated to creating their art. There is a connection that is unique and one that they carry with them forever. Some of them have spent a lifetime protecting their art such as Rogan, which was at risk of being extinct during partition. Being a conscious consumer will provide more richness and depth to the concept of buying.

3) A learning tool to understand rural India and the history that has passed through. A lot of the art is being created by women who put in details about their struggles and daily lives. Some of the motifs, such as in Kantha, are hundreds of years old and continue to be created in order to uphold tradition and to ensure the stories of these women are not lost.

4) Proliferating the art which is being lost in our fast world. In the age of powerlooms and fast paced manufacturing, hand weaving is fast declining and has a potential of being lost forever. Currently, Banaras has seen over 50% of its weaver population lose its craftsmanship because of the power loom threats and the economic instability of the handicraft.

5) Ethical and economic aspects. There are 220 thousand handlooms still existent in India today and they support the livelihood of a million or more. Ethically and consciously keeping this art alive preserves not only history, but helps all the artisans get economically stronger.

These are some of my perceptions and I hope to create awareness so that everyone can be empowered to consume ethically and consciously. Let me know some of your, if any.
In the meantime, enjoy some of the faces that are behind these beautiful arts.