ABOUT INDIAN FABRICS

For centuries, India has been renowned for its traditional textiles. Among these, the lightweight and comfortable handwoven cotton fabric cherished in 17th and 18th-century Europe and Japan is known as calico. It is said that the desire to replicate such extraordinary fabrics through mechanical means eventually led to the invention of spinning machinery in Europe, sparking the Industrial Revolution.

Even after the passage of many generations, the timeless "fabric rhythms" continue to flow in Indian villages. Like the heartbeat of the village itself, the creation of fabric still resonates with sounds of patan-patan, kara-kara, koto-koto, and chiku-chiku. Here, one finds a rich tactile experience that stands apart from the speed, convenience, uniformity, and homogenization of modernity.

Occasionally, Indian acquaintances have pointed out that the term "CALICO" is sometimes confused with "CALICO MILL" (a spinning company) or "CALICO MUSEUM." However, the word "calico" originally refers to Indian cotton fabric—a universal term. And it is this universality that we strive to embody.

Handcrafted Fabrics and the Words of Mahatma Gandhi

"When the charkha (spinning wheel) turns, the village turns."

"Khadi (handwoven fabric) is the sun in the solar system of the village. The various industries that support khadi are like planets that are able to survive thanks to the heat and presence of the sun. Without it, no other work can thrive. To make the most of the villagers' free time, it must be practiced everywhere in the village."

"The charkha symbolizes the hopes of the people. Omitted The charkha has been present alongside all the work of sowing, carding, warping, sizing, dyeing, and weaving throughout history. Thanks to it, even the village carpenters and blacksmiths were busy. The charkha has made 700,000 villages self-sufficient."