WWISFD students recreating garments of the pre-historic era

Prehistory means literally "before history", from the Latin word for "before," præ, and Greek ιστορία. Human prehistory is the period from the time that behaviorally and anatomically modern humans first appear until the appearance of recorded history following the invention of writing systems. Since both the time of settlement of modern humans and the evolution of human civilisations, differ from region to region, prehistory starts and ends at different moments in time, depending on the region concerned.

The prehistoric people were basically nomads. The men used to hunt and hence were called the “hunters” and the women used to gather fruits and were hence called the “gatherers”. They started wearing animal skin  and animal hair. Animal skin give them warmth. They also wore leaves and grass sometimes. 



To show the same clothing style our students used muslin and artificial fur. To get the effect , they dyed the muslin. They used jute (the material of jute sacks, usually called “gonis” to get an authentic look. They applied fevicryl brown paint  to have the desired look on muslin, applied charcoal for the rustic look on the costumes, sutali (thin jute rope) stone and pebbles for ornamentation.


For shoes jute have been used, and cane grass have been used for stuffing shoes which was used to keep the feet warm during winters. Bamboos have been used to make the tent and muslin to cover it. There are cave paintings done on the muslin cloth to give the ‘prehistoric’ effect. 

WWISFD students recreating garments of the Minoan Era.

The Minoan civilization was an Aegean Bronze Age civilization that arose on the island of Crete and other Aegean islands such as Santorini and flourished from approximately 3650 to 1400 BC. It was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century through the work of British archaeologist Arthur Evans.

They had a very complex culture, more advanced than many of the societies that followed it. This complexity is shown in the artistically designed and skillfully made clothing they wore.

The Minoans sewed skirts and blouses that were shaped to the body of the wearer. Crete is located in the southern Mediterranean and has a hot climate, so heavy clothes were not needed. Ancient Minoan men wore only loincloths, which were small pieces of fabric wrapped around the waist to cover the genitals. Loincloths were made from a wide variety of materials, such as linen, leather, or wool, and decorated with bright colors and patterns. Many had a decorative pagne or sheath that covered and protected the penis, and some had long aprons in the front and back with tassels or fringe. 

While early Minoan men usually went bare-chested, in the later years of the Minoan civilization men often wore simple tunics and long robes. 

Minoan women wore skirts that flared out from the waist in a bell shape, with many decorations attached to the cloth. Later designs were made from strips of fabric, sewn in ways that created rows of ruffles from waist to ankle. Women also wore close-fitting blouses that were cut low in the front to expose the breasts. A tiny waist was prized, and both men and women wore tight belts made of metal, which held their waists in.

Our students recreated the garments from the era by doing thorough research  and under the guidance of our faculty. They got to learn a lot about the culture and the sartorial preferences of the era, which they can later use in creating garments that would combine the best of the contemporary age, to cater to modern sensibilities.

WWISFD students recreating garments of the Egyptian Era

Ancient Egypt was a civilization of ancient North-eastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. It is one of six civilizations globally to arise independently. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC. The many achievements of the ancient Egyptians include the quarrying, surveying and construction techniques that supported the building of monumental pyramids, temples, and obelisks; a system of mathematics, a practical and effective system of medicine, irrigation systems and agricultural production techniques, the first known planked boats, Egyptian faience and glass technology, new forms of literature, and the earliest known peace treaty, made with the Hittites. Egypt left a lasting legacy. 

A new-found respect for antiquities and excavations in the early modern period by Europeans and Egyptians led to the scientific investigation of Egyptian civilization and a greater appreciation of its cultural legacy.

Our students created two looks for the Egyptian civilization, a male and female. The male look comprised of a loincloth made of cotton which we wrapped around the dummy. Over the loincloth was the Shenti. Students constructed the shenti out of a flowy white cloth like georgette and pleated the material. The Shenti consisted of a central part called Chendot. We constructed it using the material that bore Egyptian motifs. The male outfit also comprised of a Pectoral Necklace which in ancient Egypt was made of pure gold and lapis-lazuli stone. It also has gold bracelets. A Gold menes was also made by us as the men in the ancient Egypt wore gold masks. There is also a false beard which the Egyptian men wore with their masks.

The female look consisted of the Kalasiris, which the students made of a sheer white pleated material. Kalasiris had a golden belt which was worn above it. There is a sleeved covering called “Haik” which is put over the Kalasiris. The females also wore Pectoral necklace similar to what the men wore. The hair is braided into tiny numerous braids. The Female dummy has a Snake Headgear which we created using gold papers.

Creating these looks was a great learning experience for us the students as they got to research a lot about Egyptian culture and discovered a lot of facts about the Egyptian Civilization.

WWISFD Students Went To Hyderabad On A Study Tour

WWISFD Students were taken to Hyderabad on a study tour to show the art and culture of a state of India (Telangana), which also includes textile as an element. The knowledge and experience that they have gathered from this tour will act as design-inspiration for them in days to come. They got to visit weavers’ service centre, fashion designer Gaurang Shah’s studio, craft village – Shilparamam, to understand the nuances of various techniques used in the process of creating fibre-to-fabric.

Weavers Service Center, set up by the Central Government to uplift the handloom industry. At this center, our students were introduced to various weaving machines that are used to weave Jaquard, Dorby  and Double Jacquard. Here, they also learned the technique and process of Block Printing and Kalamkari, while also understanding the of process of making vegetable dyes

Main highlight of the tour was meeting and interacting with the award winning textile designer, Gaurang Shah who has created a revolution in India; he is trying to uplift the art of weaving and popularising Khadi. He works with 450 weavers across five states in India and they showcase their stunning designs all over the world; the recent event was the Berlin Fashion Week

Our students spent a day with Gaurang at his studio understanding the process of designing and getting acquainted to different kind of weaves in saris like, Jamdani Designs, Ikkat, Patola, which are woven in geometric patterns in bright  colors. Later, we took our students to the villages where weavers weave these saris. This helped them to understand the different processes involved in the making of fiber-to-fabric, which includes dyeing and weaving. 

Our students also Bidri Work – The art of Inlaying silver in a dark metal base . It is a 400 years old craft. There are 3 main forms Nashan (deeply cut work) , Zar Nashan (raised work) , Tarkashi (wire inlay work). Our students would be following these techniques and incorporating them in forms of embroidery and embellishments on their creation.

Our students also visited a craft village named Shilparamam - a place where artisans from across India showcase their individual skills in a variety of arts, crafts and culture. From Indian pottery to a plethora of weaves, woodwork, jewelry, clothes and local crafts of each region of the country.

While in Hyderabad, our students went to the following places:

Mecca Masjid – one of the biggest and the oldest masjid of India . the students visited the Laad bazar which is famed for its sparkling bangles called Lac & Basra pearls

Charminar – ‘ Mosque of the Four Minarets’  and ‘ Four Towers

Salarjung Museum – The Third largest museum in India . The museum houses magnificent exhibits of Indian  Art , Middle Eastern Art , Far Eastern Art and European Art & Textiles. The idea behind taking the students to this museum was to understand the ancient art and textiles which would act as an inspiration for them in future.

For more pics from the study tour to Hyderabad, visit http://on.fb.me/1Tq62G2

WWISFD Masterclass with Fashion Stylist, Snower Sania

It was a pleasure to have fashion stylist, Snower Sania  to conduct a WWISFD Masterclass for our students.

In the masterclass , Snower  Sania shared insight on fashion styling as a profession and its importance in today’s industry. She spoke about the current trends & contemporary styling techniques. She also explained the process of understanding trends in connection to the various body types, colors and personality. She said, “Fashion styling alone carries many options in terms of profession.” She also explained each aspect and as to how students could choose & decide the correct option, depending on their passion.

Talking of fashion styling she shared the work responsibilities of a fashion stylist, difficulties faced and prospects in the fashion industry. Usually there is a general confusion about the roles of a Stylist and a Designer. She clarified the doubts of the students and said, “Fashion styling is a part of fashion designing. A person can be a good designer but not necessary a good stylist and vice versa. The stylist is a person who not only guides or helps one in terms of their clothing but also oversees into the complete makeover of the person, from make-up to hair to accessories etc. that one chooses to wear or put together.”

She also shared her current work with the students giving them insights of the profession, which was very motivating. Overall the session with Snower Sania was informative yet enjoyable for the students.   

WWISFD Masterclass with Gaviin Miguel

 It was our pleasure to have the acclaimed fashion designer, Gaviin Miguel conduct a WWISFD Masterclass. At the masterclass, Gaviin shared insight and nuances to help our students understand and identify pret, bespoke & couture wear. He also helped our students to understand the technical details that goes into designing and creating these garments, alongside he also shared the commercial value of these creations in today’s day and age.

His journey from  being an aspiring fashion designer to making a mark in the industry as a successful designer did inspire our students. One of his most important learning that he shared with our students was, “It is very important for each designer to have a mark of their own, which will  not only make them stand out amongst others but also secure their position in the industry.” Gaviin also said, "To be a good designer it’s important to be a good human being, because what you are, reflects from the clothes that you make. Each design that you make should carry your heart and soul."

In his interaction with the students he spoke about his recent venture, Disney’s recreation of the magical Broadway, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ that was showcased in Mumbai  & Delhi. Gaviin was the Costume Designer for the theatre version of the musical. He shared his experience working for a Broadway theme and what it takes for a designer to be versatile but still holding on to that one thing that makes you different from others, your forte.

Overall, it was a very educative, enriching experience for the students to interact with Gaviin Miguel.

Babita Malkani on Indian Fusion Wear and Styling

Babita Malkani is a name to reckon with in the Indian Fashion Industry. A fashion career spanning close to two decades with a very distinct, urban sense of styling and a high level of comfort with international fabric and styles, epitomizes the ensemble of Babita Malkani, ‘Babita M, which was launched in the year 2006.

On the global front, she has earned noteworthy exposure. She was chosen to design the winning team’s jackets for the ICC Champion’s Trophy 2009 in South Africa, and in the same year, she also showcased her collection at the Dubai Fashion Week. 

With a knack to create high fashion in a chic avatar, designer Babita Malkani marries Haute Couture, rich fabrics with vivacious cuts and drapes, in a fun, edgy and one-of-a-kind manner. With International, cutting-edge silhouettes in mind, her outfits exude a global sensibility that enhances their appeal. 

We invited Babita Malkani to conduct a Masterclass for our students to help them understand the nuances of 'Indian Fusion Wear and Styling', and she readily accepted our invitation. 

At the masterclass she explained the story behind her recent collection called ‘Talim’ and the execution of the collection. Talim refers to a written code for weaving the oriental rugs and carpets created by Kashmiris for the pattern of knotting handmade carpets. 

Babita Malkani’s travels to Kashmir inspired her to work with 'Windows of Paradise', which form an integral part of the Talim carpets prevalent in Kashmir. She explained the making of the collection to the students, which has an indo-western appeal and lays emphasis on constructed silhouettes, signature drapes along with a blend of chic crops, pencil skirts and stylized pants giving it styles to suit the modern sensibilities of today’s women. 

At the masterclass, she suggested the students to create practical, wearable, trendy and creative designs for the graduation show collection. 

Later in the masterclass, Babita asked our students to illustrate 2 designs each on the basis of practicality, wearability & trendy, out of which she selected 2 students’ design which she really felt was different and creative. 

Babita also showed our students a few techniques of how to drape a dress.

Overall, at this masterclass our students got to learn a lot from the very talented designer, while also getting a sneak peek into the rich sartorial tradition of Kashmir.