Disha Dhadiwal’s introduction to fashion was a journey through different cultures. Although born in India, she moved to Italy early in her childhood, where the contrast in attire became the starting point of her education in fashion. She studied at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Bangalore for her undergraduate degree, then worked for a retail menswear brand to expand her understanding of tailoring. Disha’s travels also brought her closer to her own roots, an integral feature of her design aesthetic today. She considers the skill of handcrafting as an heirloom, passed down to her from her late mother.
Her collection, titled Through the Hands/हाथों से, explores the indigenous craft of Indian backstrap weaving from a futuristic lens. Inspired by the craft clusters she visited in India, she uses regional techniques of warp and weft to juxtapose the hand-dyed teal and dark brown cotton and wool threads on the bodice of her creations. The sharp cylindrical silhouette she created with a wood framework was inspired by furniture crafted by Indian artisans. “I was really fascinated by the process of making weaves and I tried to show it in my work to give an insight into the creative process,” she says. Disha’s vision has enabled her to transform these forgotten crafts into a modern design language. The metallic sheen of embellishments made with aluminium foil adds a finishing touch.
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