Narsapur lace and crochet works all set to make a fashion statement

2002
By Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Dec 30: Narsapur lace and crochet works are all set to make a fashion statement in the international market.
The city-based National Institute of Small Industry Extension Training and the National Institute of Fashion Technology are roping in international fashion names like the Harrods, Mark Spencer, Mother Care and Wall Mart for a fashion event showcasing the Naraspur lace and crochet works including lingerie. The fashion show will be held in the city sometime in March. The All-India Crochet Lace Exporters' Association and the Naraspur Lace Park will co-sponsor the first-ever fashion show of lace garments.
NISIET, a Central government body, plans to develop marketing linkages between Narsapur, a sleepy village on the banks of the river Godavari in West Godavari district, and international chain of super stores based in London and other major cities in the world.
Lace garments are in great demand in the international market but most of lace weavers in Narsapur prepare traditional products like doilies and table mats. The NISIET provided training to the artisans introducing international quality standards and creating international marketing networks. About two lakh women are involved in the lace work for the past 150 years in and around Narsapur.
"The idea is to make Narsapur cluster into a global sourcing point for crochet lace garments. New products like designer garments and lingerie will be introduced. For a pair of beach wear of crochet lace for women it will take 200 gms of yarn and will take three days work for an artisan to lace. The artisan will fetch about 15 US dollars in international market. We are ensuring that the product comes out with international quality standards like non bleeding and fastness of colour and colour standard under precipitation," says NISIET technical adviser YVS Mahadev.
As a prelude to the fashion show the NISIET has provided the artisans with patterns compact discs for prototype development. The total turnover of Narsapur lace market is Rs 50 crore. The NIFT is now training women artisans in advance fashion courses like crochet language and design pattern.
"An interesting aspect of the work force in the Narsapur cluster is the existence of specialized labour groups in the form of housewives, who take up part-time knitting. The fashion show will be great boon for them," Mahadev said.