The Hindu Business Line : `Weavers must learn more about global market'

INDIAN fabrics and traditional designs may have made a mark internationally, but these have to be developed to compete in the international market, according to Ms Sara Thorn, an Australian textile and fashion designer.

According to her, the hi-tech powerloom parks, planned by the Centre in Tamil Nadu, might spell the doom of the traditional handloom industry, besides leading to the the designs and weavers loss of individuality.

On her recent visit to Erode, Ms Thorn said she saw over 2,000 looms weaving the same material for a multinational company. "Each weaver was weaving about 12 metres a day for a low wage," she said.

Weavers in places such as Erode and Karur had no exposure to the export market and were not aware of the many-tiered markets in the West. "Most weavers were not aware of the end-use of the products that they were making. For instance, in Karur, one weaver wanted to know what a place mat was used for," she said.

Ms Thorn was conducting a workshop organised by the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce on `Home textile - staying competitive in international markets and how to predict colour and fashion trends.'

She said the trends that hit the international market come from the Paris catwalks. There are a number of factors that influence designers when they select colours and trends for the coming seasons. Designers should look at what celebrities are wearing; predominant emotions can decide the colours of the season. Inaugurating the workshop, Mr A. Elangovan, Tamil Nadu Secretary Handloom, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi, said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 60 crore for setting up three hi-tech powerloom parks in Tamil Nadu. These parks will be at Andipatti, Kumarapalayam and Pallapatti.

Mr Elangovan said a booklet in Tamil about export and the market conditions would be of great help to the weavers.

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