Injiri
The name Injiri means ‘real India’ and originates from a name given to prized fabrics exported to Africa in the 18th century. The driving force of the brand is the talented designer Chinar Farooqui, whose passion lies in studying traditional textile, dress and the stories behind them. As a young girl she travelled to craft villages with her mother, who filled their home with handmade cloth, such as local indigo dyed fabrics. Studying fine arts and textile design led the way to Farooqui’s own label, which Selvedge first featured on the pages of our Blue & White issue.
Today, drawing inspiration from folk clothing, her childhood in Rajasthan and love of traditional Indian textile techniques, she designs garments and home textiles at her studio in Jaipur. Using organic cotton, each piece is a hand-crafted tale that’s shaped by artisans and weavers across India, passing through the hands of several karigars (craftspeople) from different parts of India, including rangrez (dyers), bunkars (weavers), darazis (tailors) and dastakars (finishing craftspeople).
The cotton used in the creation of home textiles has been grown and spun in Gujarat. The products are designed to emphasise a traditional Gujarati weaving technique called bhujodi. Injiri clothing is airy, made with a more light weight cotton, sometimes incorporating eri silk. Textile techniques from different parts of the country are explored to achieve textures and patterns. “For me the beauty lies in the process of making”, Farooqui explains. Every stitch, gather and selvedge tells a story.
The common thread among all these influences and techniques is Farooqui’s ‘hand-made’ approach to design, and this serves as the foundation for the philosophy, aesthetic and process behind Injiri.
Injiri textiles now available through the Selvedge Artisan Emporium.
Shop the collection here.
The new spring clothing collection 'Asmaani" available soon.
Today, drawing inspiration from folk clothing, her childhood in Rajasthan and love of traditional Indian textile techniques, she designs garments and home textiles at her studio in Jaipur. Using organic cotton, each piece is a hand-crafted tale that’s shaped by artisans and weavers across India, passing through the hands of several karigars (craftspeople) from different parts of India, including rangrez (dyers), bunkars (weavers), darazis (tailors) and dastakars (finishing craftspeople).
The cotton used in the creation of home textiles has been grown and spun in Gujarat. The products are designed to emphasise a traditional Gujarati weaving technique called bhujodi. Injiri clothing is airy, made with a more light weight cotton, sometimes incorporating eri silk. Textile techniques from different parts of the country are explored to achieve textures and patterns. “For me the beauty lies in the process of making”, Farooqui explains. Every stitch, gather and selvedge tells a story.
The common thread among all these influences and techniques is Farooqui’s ‘hand-made’ approach to design, and this serves as the foundation for the philosophy, aesthetic and process behind Injiri.
Injiri textiles now available through the Selvedge Artisan Emporium.
Shop the collection here.
The new spring clothing collection 'Asmaani" available soon.
4 comments
I am fortunate enough to have two of her garments and have had them a very long while…EVERY time I wear one of these dresses I receive many comments about their unique beauty. The details of the fabric weave and the construction techniques reflect Farooqui’s distinctive eye. I am grateful to know more about her through this article.
Clemmons, North Carolina, USA
Thank you for your lovely comments. We will be sure to pass them on to Chinar as well!
Chinar’s garments are such a delight to wear.
I’m an Australian who travelled in India in 2013, and the ‘must have’ on my list was an Injiri garment. I have several, and my daughter has as well, and still wearing them.
Her homewares look amazing, but her garments are just the best!
Thank you for such kind comments – we will pass them on to Chinar & her team.