Echo- The Ajrakh Imprint

The goal of this research is to find out how traditional textile art has adapted to the fast-paced, increasingly globalized marketplace around the world. The Ajrakh - a block-printed textile from India originally used by the ruling class as an exclusive garment - is the focus of this study because it continues to be used today as a fashion garment on runways and by low-caste Dalits in India to make clothing for special occasions. The study will investigate the history of Ajrakh as well as the role of master artisans in the production of this textile and the establishment of resource centres to preserve these techniques. The research combines macro-level systematic analysis with an overview of critical design principles (silhouette and textile) to investigate how the fashion industry may address the ongoing disruptions of traditional trade and technology while creating new opportunities for creative expression.