The basic needs of humans are identified as Food, Water, Shelter and Clothing. Since the beginning of civilization, clothing has protected humans from the weather and enabled travel among diverse climates. The prehistoric communities learned to create clothes to suit the changing weather which was the origin of textiles and attire. This developed into clothing styles based on available raw material, technology and requirements of the people and culture. Clothing is also one of the beautiful indicators of specific cultures as traditional clothing indicates the Region and the country of origin.
The word “textile” derives from the Latin word “texere” which means “to weave” and today it refers to cloth woven on a loom by using thread or fibres. Thread for textile is produced by spinning fibres such as wool, flax (linen), cotton, silk, hemp, jute, cashmere, mohair, alpaca, angora, ramie, etc., natural fibres or polyester, rayon, nylon, acrylic, spandex, viscose, carbon, etc., artificial fibres. The fibres woven together through different techniques such as weaving (loom and machines), knitting, knotting, crocheting, pressing to create textiles. The earliest textiles were created by using animal or plant fibre during the Prehistoric period.
This programme will provide an opportunity for textile artists and designers to combine traditional and modern as well as textiles and materials from the Region and develop new ideas and styles. This is also an opportunity to work with designers of the Region, exchange ideas and techniques and establish Regional trends.
The main objectives of the Visions of Traditional and Contemporary Textiles Workshop and Exhibition are as follows:
2.1 To revitalize the disappearing crafts associated with tangible and intangible cultural heritage of textiles of the SAARC Region.
2.2 To introduce Regional fashion based on the traditional textiles and designs.
2.3 To create an opportunity for the textile and fashion designers of the Region to mutually exchange ideas and develop Regional contacts.
2.4 To bring traditional and modern designs together in the same platform.
2.5 To showcase a fashion show with traditional and modern costumes of the Region and portray possibilities and future trends.
The SAARC Cultural Centre anticipates the following outcomes from this event.
3.1 Mutual respect and understanding of traditional textiles and opportunities to collaborate in future.
3.2 Establishment of Regional Trends and new Designs which include traditional and modern attire.
3.3 Exchange of traditional and modern techniques of costume design.
3.4 Establish a Design Forum for the SAARC Region.
This Programme will be held for 4 days in the Republic of Maldives. The Programme will provide opportunities to create traditional and modern costumes using the textiles of the esteemed Member States. An exhibition of textiles and costumes, both traditional and modern will also be held simultaneously. This programme will culminate in a Fashion Show.
The Workshop will have two sessions each day for 3 days with Resource persons sharing their expertise with the esteemed Member States. The Workshop will also provide opportunities for interactions among designers, to learn from each other, exchange ideas and future collaborations. Space will be made available for the participants to create new costumes combining their knowledge with each other. It is hoped that participants will create a few new items for the exhibition and the fashion show based on their experience at the workshop. The grand finale of the workshop will be the creation of modern or traditional costume of an esteemed Member State or States using traditional textiles of the participating Member States. This will be also available for virtually in real time for the esteemed Member States.
Sarees are the traditional and popular dress in most of South Asia especially in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There are different textiles and designs used in Saree manufacture of the esteemed Member States and the drapery styles are also different. These sarees and drapery styles are undergoing changes with new drapery styles being created to suit the information age we now live in. This will also include opportunities to experience the different traditional dresses of the Region including Gho and Kira, Shalwar Kameez, Doti, Kurta, Saruwal, Lungi, Sarong, Dhivehi Libaas, Dhigu Hedhun, Sarungan, Daura Saruwal, Achkan, Sherwani, etc. The live demonstration segment of the Workshop will provide an opportunity to invent new drapery styles as a group from all esteemed Member States, for the public and participants to try different traditional costumes from the esteemed Member States, etc. This would also provide an opportunity for the participants to demonstrate their skills in various aspects of creating costumes, traditional costume decorations made by hand paintings, embroidery, etc.
There will be stalls allocated to each participant Member State to display their traditional and modern attire, different types of textiles from the Member State, accessories, and other items. The participants are recommended to bring the unique textiles of the esteemed Member State to be displayed and to be shared with other participants to create new and exciting costumes which will be displayed during the exhibition. The participants are encouraged to bring their own creations including accessories to be displayed. Photographs, drawings and digital displays of participant’s iconic creations can also be displayed at the exhibition.
The Fashion Show will be held on the final day and traditional and modern costumes from the esteemed Member States will be on the catwalk. This will also include the costumes created by the participants during the workshop. The costumes (including textiles and sarees) will be modelled by the participants and others. The designs of the Fashion show will be under the themes “Casual attire, Office attire and Party/Wedding attire” for the public who consist of all sizes and shapes. All participants are expected to model their creations during the Fashion Show. The SAARC Cultural Centre will also recruit volunteers who will support the Fashion Show as models as necessary.
The esteemed Member States to select participants who can contribute to the multiple segments of the Programme mentioned above. At least one participant should be able to share their knowledge / skills on each segment.
5.1.1 Host Member State of the Republic of Maldives is invited to nominate a maximum of twenty (20) participants. Other esteemed Member States are invited to nominate a maximum of eight (08) participants for the Visions of Traditional and Contemporary Textiles Workshop and Exhibition.
5.1.2 The esteemed Member States are respectfully requested to take into consideration the following guidelines.
5.1.2.1 The participants should be textile designers, dress designers, traditional creators of textile, traditional costumes creators, fabric painters, embroiderers, designers who combine traditional with modern costumes, etc.
5.1.2.2 Among the participants at least one (01) person should be a Resource Person knowledgeable about the textile and traditional costumes of the Member State including the history, designs, tangible and intangible heritage associated with textile and attire. The Resource Person from the esteemed Member States will discuss and present the intricacies and details of textiles and costumes during the workshop.
5.1.2.3 A gender balance among the participants should be maintained if possible.
5.1.2.4 The nominated participants should be experts and understand textiles and costumes of the esteemed Member State.
5.1.2.5 Participants from different areas/regions of the Member States would be highly appreciated.
5.1.3 The Airfare to the Host Member State of the Republic of Maldives for the Officially Nominated Participants will be borne by the esteemed Member State.
5.2.1 Category A – The SAARC Cultural Centre would also accept the participation of other Experts from the esteemed Member States (other than the Official Nominees of the esteemed SAARC Member States).
5.2.2 The selection of other participants (Category A) will be at the discretion of the SAARC Cultural Centre based on the availability of space, their experience and expertise in textile and costume designs, etc.
5.2.3 SAARC Cultural Centre would provide local transport, accommodation and access to all the activities at the event.
5.2.4 Airfare to the Host Member State of the Republic of Maldives will be borne by the participant.
5.2.5 Category B – Participants from the Host Country where the event is held can participate. (Participants with experience in textile, design, accessories, etc., both traditional and modern from the esteemed Member State of the Republic of Maldives.)
5.2.6 Other Participants (Category B) from the Host Member State will not be provided with local transport and accommodation.
5.2.7 Other Participants (Category B) will be provided access to all the activities of the event.
5.3 Virtual Participants – All Member States to nominate any number of participants to join the Workshop/Webinar virtually. The Virtual activities will be open to the Public with prior registration.
6.1 The names of all participants (Official & Other Participants Category A & B), relevant biographical information including their experience in textile and costume design industry, contact details and copy of passport should be sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs / External Affairs of the esteemed Member State via the SAARC Secretariat to the SAARC Cultural Centre.
6.2 The esteemed Member States are required to send their official nominations for the Visions of Traditional and Contemporary Textiles Workshop and Exhibition on or before 31st August 2024.
6.3 All Participants (Official Nominees and Other Participants) must fill the Registration Form which is attached as Annexure 1.
7.1 All local hospitality including accommodation, meals and local transportation will be provided for the Officially Nominated Participants and Other Participants of Category A for the official duration of the Programme by the SAARC Cultural Centre.
7.2 SAARC Cultural Centre will provide sewing machines and other required items to be used during the workshop depending on the availability.
7.3 The participants to send a list of requirements to the SAARC Cultural Centre to be obtained from the Host Member State which will be provided by the SAARC Cultural Centre contingent to the availability. Please include photographs of your requirements to expedite the process of obtaining equipment, etc. (Requirements which the participants will be unable to bring due to weight limitations, however, traditional or local equipment required might not be available in the Host Member State.)
7.4 Participants are encouraged to bring and show case their creations at the exhibition and the workshop which will include accessories.
The Host Member State to propose suitable dates for the Visions of Traditional and Contemporary Textiles Workshop and Exhibition in September 2024.
The Host Member State to select a suitable location for the Visions of Traditional and Contemporary Textiles Workshop and Exhibition and share the details with the SAARC Cultural Centre at the earliest.
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