Indian Fashion Industry’s unsung heroes – the karigars, weavers, artisans, and embroiders-are among the most affected communities by this pandemic. While the first wave was difficult, nothing could prepare them for the second. With cancelled orders, inventory backlogs and uncertainty in the foreseeable future, the craftsmen need more than what their basic salaries can cover.
In an attempt to help the various clusters across the country, these 10 labels and craft organisations are raising funds through different methods.
1. Tarun Tahiliani
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Ace couturier Tarun Tahiliani has pledged a percentage of his sales for the entire month of May to Dastkar’s Artisan Support Fund.
2. Aroka
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Label Aroka has launched a Quote Your Price initiative to provide work and income for the labour force. Through this, you can purchase clothes at a price quoted by you. The donations collected will be redirected to the artisans at Dastkar – a society for crafts and craftspeople.
3. Urvashi Kaur
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Designer Urvashi Kaur has joined hands with the Delhi Crafts Council, and 30 per cent of their sales proceeds from the 7th – 21st of May will be donated to their COVID 19 relief fund. It will aid the artisans whose livelihoods are at risk.
4. 1111 Clothing
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1111 Clothing is procuring medical kits that include thermometers, paracetamol and oximeters for monitoring oxygen saturation. The craft communities that reside in the villages of Kutch and West Bengal will be receiving these. They are also working towards creating awareness about the vaccine for the artisans to get vaccinated once it becomes available to them. All of the proceeds from their site this month will be going towards Covid relief for this community.
5. Anita Dongre
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Designer Anita Dongre is amplifying the work done by the foundation Creative Dignity; it helps artisans in remote villages. The designer urged people to donate for this cause as it shields the clusters from this adversity.
6. Zwaan
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The bestsellers from Zwaan will be available at a 20 per cent discount, and 50 per cent of all sale proceeds will be donated to the Dastkar Organisation that is working towards the betterment of Indian Artisans and Craftsmen across the country.⠀⠀⠀
7. Kaarigar Clinic
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Kaarigar Clinics is a craft organisation that is helping the community during these testing times. They are distributing medical aid and dry ration kits to each artisan family. They aim to serve 500 families and have kickstarted this campaign with a self-fund of 1 lakh Rupees. Consumers can directly help the artisans through their platform.
8. Okhai
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Okhai is playing the mediator between rural artisans and volunteer group that are providing Covid relief and homecare. In tandem with Creative Dignity, they’ve specifically created a few helplines for this purpose.
9. The Registry of Sarees
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The Registry of Sarees is organising an online embroidery workshop to collect funds for the affected weaving community in Kodiyala. Stories Told By Hand – the workshop will be conducted by their designer Priyanka Jayanath, who will cover the basic techniques and concepts of embroidery. This raised amount will be used to help the weavers.
10. Amiraah
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Karigari is a programme started by Amiraah and Sanatkada to empower karigars and art forms of India. They are conducting a virtual shopping festival from 19th to 26th May, the earnings of which will go to artisans.
