‘Tigra Tigra’ Is Helming A Global Textile Revival With Handicraft Futurism

At the collision of two cultures is a global brand that is helming textile revival with its handicraft futurism aesthetic. The Los Angeles-based label Tigra Tigra is not only heavily inspired by the traditional textile techniques and craftsmanship of Indian artisans but is also made in Gujarat by the artisans themselves.

Founded in 2016, by Parsons Design School graduate Bailey Hunter, the textile and garment studio partners directly with 3 artisan-owned businesses in Gujarat to develop and produce all of their designs for which the artisans themselves set the pricing on the basis of labour, time, and fair wages. All their textiles are made using low-impact and traditional textile techniques using hand-powered looms that don’t require the use of electricity.

In an interview with Grazia, Hunter said, “I developed my aesthetic organically, through a lot of learning. It’s also a very collaborative process, a lot of it is informed by the artisans themselves. They embellish saris, shawls and even bedding with these embroidery techniques which inspire me to inculcate it into modern womenswear. The silhouettes are influenced by my time in Miami and what I wore growing up there.”

Vibrant colour-centric aesthetics define the identity of this brand that incorporates Kutch embroidery from Bhuj, folkloric embroidery inspired by Warli art that is native to the tribal community of Maharashtra, the shibori technique of Japan and clamp-dyed mashru from Patan.

While still exploring the gamut of Indian craftsmanship, what lies at the absolute core of the brand is its focus on silk mashru, a fabric whose history dates back to the Ottoman empire, as well as members of the orthodox Islamic community, and by the 1900s was even embraced by Hindu merchants who gave it the tie-dye treatment.

Highlighting the intricacies and dexterity of Indian craftsmanship to their largely global clientele, the label has always been sure to give credit where it is due.

Check them out here.

If you enjoyed reading this article we also suggest:

Gamcha Gone Global: How The Traditional South-Asian Cloth Is Becoming A Fashion Mainstay

Exploring ‘The Other’ Side Of Fashion: Of Disparate Culture & Colliding Identities

Homegrown Labels Reviving India’s Diminishing Traditional Handloom Industry