Indian fabric

Went to the Patterns of Trade: Indian Textile for Export, 1400 to 1900 exhibition at the Asian Civilisation Museum this morning. It didn't disappoint, and I spent a good 90 minutes there to examine all the items.

I was first introduced to Indian fabric and 'fashion' in 1999 when my ex bought me two Indian dresses and shawls. Though I wasn't impressed by their quality (some of the buttons were rustic on a dress and the fabric of the shawls too rough to wrap around the bare neck), I was intrigued by its traditional design and the unique patterns on the shawls. In the follow nine years, I would continue receive gifts from India, some of them dresses, and had come to the conclusion that Indian fabric was cheaply made (at least those sold in the mass market where my ex frequented) but had a distinctive ethnic touch to them, and could look rather feminine if fitted well. Despite the fact that their colours come off quite easily, the Indian dresses also seemed to me like an ideal pregnancy dresses and when my younger sister was pregnant, I 'ordered' some for her - which turned her into an instant 'fashion icon' at her regular bus stops; female fellow passengers were fascinated by how graceful she looked in those 'exotic' dresses and would even enquire where they could get some.

Indian dresses and shawls were in fact only part of our collection of ethnic fabric; apart from a few Indian pieces for hanging, we had also acquired decorative fabric from Bali, Tibet and southwestern China. While the dry condition in England allow them to be displayed in the house quite easily (the fact windows were closed most of the time also helped), it became a headache of sort in this tropical climate with high humidity. All all the pieces, the most expensive item was in fact purchased in Hong Kong from a friend's ex-boyfriend. A medium size piece for hanging, it was made from several fabric women in Guizhou used for carrying their babies on their backs. The original fabrics were all worn due to overuse and so the seller had someone cut out the better ones and patched them together as a whole piece. How to keep them and make sure they are fine in such climate was a challenge.

This cursory knowledge about Indian fabrics made me want to know more about it and its history, and to my satisfaction, the exhibition was well-researched and executed. Not only it traces the origin, the development of the textile industry inside India, it also discuses its impact across the border and beyond. The video that is played on look provides interesting display on the process Indian patterns are made traditionally. While I was watching it, it dawned to me how come those pieces were so 'rough' and appeared to repeat the patterns. But the surprise was how beautiful the exhibition room looks with the huge fabric hanging on the wall, as most of them should be in their proper settings. It made me realise that they were in fact a form of art.

I felt rather 'civilised' while examining those delicate items; some with silk like texture.