The Mongolian Olympic uniform becoming a worldwide sensation perfectly sums up the cultural shift we've experienced. Fashion is finally starting to recognize and appreciate ethnic designs. I'd even go far as to say that the streetwear fever we've had for a while is also beginning to soften, with more and more people leaning towards Indo-western styles: like the Y2K midi skirt and crop top fit, but with jhumkas and a bindi or a squared oversized tee but with a traditional Indian print.

This collective appreciation we've garnered towards homegrown fashion also shines through in brands that are embracing native silhouettes as a novelty rather than following a Western guide of trends.

The Leh-based brand Saldon is a perfect example of that. Born from a deep-rooted reverence for India's artisanal legacy, the brand is committed to honouring homemade textile traditions that they practice through ethical production while working closely with artisans.

The brand's palette is a living canvas inspired by the Himalayan landscape. Lachu, a Himalayan rhubarb, is transformed into a mesmerizing ochre through an intricate process. Dried and pulverized, the plant matter is steeped in water to extract its vibrant hue. The resulting colour, reminiscent of monastic walls, carries the spiritual undertone of the region. Similarly, the walnut, a ubiquitous Himalayan resource, offers a spectrum of browns. Its outer shell, dried and ground, yields a rich cocoa shade, while the deeper layers produce a burnt umber. These natural dyes, imbued with the essence of the Himalayas, lend Saldon's creations an unparalleled depth and character.

Craftsmanship is the soul of Saldon. Each piece is a labour of love, created by skilled artisans who hand spin yak wool and sheep wool into bespoke garments. The brand's commitment to slow fashion is evident in its meticulous attention to detail, from the intricate weaving patterns to the delicate hand block prints.

Their Autumn-Winter 24 collection, ‘The Himalayan Closet’, collection fuses the ancient tie-dye technique of Thigma from Ladakh, with the intricate block prints of Gujarat. This convergence creates a dialogue between two rich cultural traditions, resulting in garments that are as visually striking as they are culturally significant.

Padma Saldon, the visionary behind the brand, believes that fashion should be an expression of individuality and a reflection of one's values. She transforms her pieces from clothes to stories woven with threads of passion and purpose. The brand is rooted in a strong cultural identity and a vision that doesn't deem ethnic styles as outdated or lesser than in the contemporary arena. Saldon represents a movement that encompasses a return to our traditional history and a revitalized gaze towards homegrown fashion.

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