India, Karomi Crafts & Textiles, Weaving

Karomi entered the hand-loom sector with a single weaver in West Bengal, India in 2007. Inspired by Bengal’s rich textile heritage and a desire to merge art with design, founder Sarita Ganeriwala explored the region’s weaver communities before deciding to settle in Jamdani. Rooted in Mughal era Bengal, Jamdani is a traditional extra-weft weaving style that can be employed to intricately weave patterns into fabric, similar to embroidery, on the loom. Captivated by the endless possibilities offered by this timeless technique, Sarita along with her sister Sarika Ginodia set out on a journey to create a design driven Jamdani.

Each Karomi Jamdani is a labour of love. From concept to design to weaving, the time and skill-intensive craft combines the contemporary artistic bent of its founders with the centuries old weaving technique of its craftspeople. Seamless weaving of the old with the new creates Karomi’s signature whimsical yet grounded look. After weeks of effort, every Jamdani that emerges from the loom represents Karomi’s deep commitment to its craft and community. This is echoed in the Sanskrit words “Aham Karomi”, meaning “I do”.

The process of making a Karomi Jamdani is eco-friendly and centered around community. From the use of natural fibres (silk, cotton, and linen) and upcycled yarns (matka and gicha silk) to the emphasis on natural hand-dyeing, each product is environmentally sustainable. Harnessing the dyeing and weaving traditions in rural Bengal economically empowers low-income artisans and other stakeholders in the value chain, helping ensure that the art form sustains.

Today, Karomi works with over a hundred artisans creating quality textiles in design driven Jamdani. Through its re-imagination of the traditional Jamdani, Karomi is constantly pushing the boundaries of this weaving style and working to secure its place as a fashion-forward, sustainable art form.

To follow the story of Karomi Crafts N Textiles, find them on social media here.