Mekhela Rules Assamese Couture With New Fabrics

Guwahati, Jun 1 : In order to give Assam’s most favorite apparel, mekhela chador, a new look based on the current trends, Assamese designers are experimenting with different types of fabrics.

No one ever thought that, the blend of Kanjeevaram and chiffon fabrics could take the place of heavy pat and muga. It started being a part of this diverse fabric since only a few years.

While georgette, crepe and chiffon are used to make the chador, Kanjeevaram and Benarasi silk is utilised for creating the mekhela, informed, Guwahati-based designer, Kiki Bajpayee, who is soon to launch his outlet in the city. This new experiment is currently doing the rounds of young women who love to don new trends and blends.

Young women, who are bored of donning the traditional muga or pat mekhela chador, are opting for designer-crafted mekhela chador made from Kanjeevaram and Italian crepe.

A new look with respect to changing market trends and the fact that, conventional mekhela chadors weigh more, owing to their material and thread work, whereas the modern ones are easier to wear, are the key reasons behind the shift in choices.

Continues Bajpayee that, chiffon and crepe are lighter in weight and easily manageable hence, preferred by most young Assamese girls.

Supporting Bajpayee, another Guwahati-bsed designer, Tanuja Chetia said that, she too makes use of chiffon, crepe and all types of silk fabrics in the mekhela chadors she designs. But customer-based chadors of crepe or georgette are also in demand.

However, this new trend is not well accepted by all, who still strongly follow the traditional mekhela chadors. Even stores like Silkalay makes use of conventional materials but adds zardosi or sequins to further enhance the designs.

More so, there are still many boutiques and designers who continue to create mekhela chador in the traditional manner, by using muga, pat or Assamese silk. A boutique owner in Silpukuri averred that, while cotton, muga and pat are being used to design mekhela chador, traditional mekhelas are also in demand, especially amongst the youngsters.

Be it anything, conventional or modern, the mekhela chador is still a leader in Assamese garments, influencing altercations and duplication, as per state’s changing textiles.

[ via Fibre2Fashion ]