Dhaka Textile Transformation in Nepal

Dhaka textile, as a tradition, bears similarity. There seems to exist, among traditional cultures, a common thread in their textile patterns that weaves itself unifying them into a beautiful expression …

Dhaka weaves – My interpretation

During this experimental phase with the Dhaka pattern, I enjoyed seeing its transformations; blowing it up and cutting it into an old kimono textile as seen in the image below.

Dhaka weave’s Beginning

When I first came to Nepal I was very attracted by this traditional weave, called ‘Dhaka’, traditionally used to make men’s hat, blouses for women, shawls and baby clothes. Dhaka weaving is the result of exclusive know-how and expertise.

The explosion and harmonious distribution of different shapes of the design results in a very lively piece of cloth celebrating the colour red with orange hues.

I saw the potential of this textile in the precise technique of weaving; there is a long tradition of weaving in Nepal and it expresses itself in the Dhaka cloth weaving. What I thought was missing was a variation in the colour scheme, besides the preferred orange-red at the time! Together with other influential women at the time, I initiated development in the traditional weave with a new colour interpretation that would give the weave a more international touch.

Dhaka weaves – A fusion interpretation

During this experimental phase with the Dhaka pattern, I enjoyed seeing its transformations; blowing it up and cutting it into an old kimono textile as seen in the image below.

I loved the result; an aesthetically appealing garment with endless possibility on the fusion theme: Dhaka was incorporated in a Western jacket structure trim (as shown of the short Bordeaux jacket lapel), on cuffs, on borders like on a panelled skirt on facing… I was really able to use my creativity as this textile is so versatile.

Dhaka Weave and its social implication

I was asked by my friend, Susanne Jalbert PhD (an expert in gender issues and many other important skills she masters) to create a garment that showcases Dhaka and that would be sold through her famous creation the TEWA teas.

I was glad to oblige and created a reversible vest with Dhaka and wool crepe to be sold through the gatherings mainly organized by volunteers (the TEWA Angels) throughout America. The income generated was very welcome as Nepal was battling through a civil war.

TEWA (means support), is a self-reliant development organisation for empowering rural women in Nepal, founded by Rita Thapa, together with Dr Susanne E Jalbert. The purpose was to promote women’s self-sustaining livelihood and allow them to grow by offering them a loan, skills development training and how to be competitive on the local and international market.

Do you have an item in your wardrobe with Dhaka weave?
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