Mumbai, Aug 28 (KNN) The tinsel town legends dazzled the ramp during the ongoing Lakme India Fashion Week for Padma Shri winner Ritu Kumar with the view to honour the traditional Banarasi weavers and revive the handloom weaving of Varanasi through her collection.

Titled as "Varanasi Weaves", the designer showcased her rich collection of Banarasi weaves and said there is nothing more precious and valuable in Indian textiles.

She said the rich handloom industry of Varanasi is the USP of India.

"Textile and handloom are the USP of our country and our fashion. This is a great platform to showcase that the Banarasi weaves are not meant to be kept in our closets as antiques but be worn as glamorous piece of clothing and that is India's couture today," said Kumar.

Ritu said the Banarasi weaves have lost its value and charm because it has become stiff.

"Not just stiff, the Banarasi weaves have lot of designs on it and a lot of gold. If the weavers go back to doing what their ancestors did then probably they will again find a lot of takers." 

Ritu's initiative to honour Banarsi weavers is supported by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India to revive the handloom weaving in Varanasi.

Ritu’s show was attended by veteran actress Shabana Azmi. Azmi said. (KNN Bureau)