The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Co-optex launches ‘Designer Collection’

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Wednesday, Aug 05, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Co-optex launches ‘Designer Collection’

Staff Reporter

Nearly 200 different varieties of traditional fare on display

— Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

TAKING A LOOK: Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi takes a look at a sari on display at the ‘Designer Collection’ at Co-optex in Chennai on Monday. Co-optex Managing Director R. Rajagopal (right), is in the picture.

CHENNAI: Silk threads woven with silver zari to create imposing temple-tower designs on a sari that gleamed with pearl-studded pallu was the cynosure of all eyes at the launch of Co-optex’s ‘Designer Collection’, an exhibition of cotton and silk saris, at Thillaiyadi Valliammai showroom here on Monday.

Thirukkural sari

The Thanga Gopuram sari was one among half-a-dozen signature silk works of Co-optex that were on display. Others including Dandi Yatra designed with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Mayil Thogai with thousand colours juxtaposed one after another in tiny checks, Magic sari with unique weaving technique to create an optical illusion and Thirukkural sari with couplets interlaced, were put on show.

Simple works

“It takes 20 days to one month to complete a sari. While these saris score over others for the amount of intricacy involved, we also aim at designing silk saris with simple works to attract college-goers,” said R. Ravikumar, who designed many signature saris of Co-optex.

The designer collection also included nearly 200 different varieties of traditional cotton saris popular in each region of the State that were redesigned to suit the needs of youngsters.

Saris from Chettinad, Tirupur, Jayamkondam, Chinnalapatti, Dindigul, Tiruchi, Madurai, Arani Aruppukottai and Paramakudi have been introduced in various shades, primarily in pastel colours, with elaborate thread works that add grandeur and elegance. Those with simple borders and soft texture also come in a variety of colours.

Floral designs, which are back in vogue, are embellished over many saris. Artificial zaris, which are cost-effective but offer striking looks, are sourced from southern regions of the State. Cashing in the Aadi festivities, Co-optex have priced the saris from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,500.

Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi declared opened the exhibition. R. Rajagopal, Managing Director of Co-optex, participated.

The collections have been introduced as part of the 75th year celebrations of Co-optex.

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