Future → Built Creatively
“Katut & Contour” is a project by Bejgam Harini, M.Sc. Fashion Design & Management, at JD School of Design, Bengaluru. The collection presents a contemporary couture interpretation of the traditional Ajrakh craft, transforming its geometric precision, rhythmic patterns, and distinctive colour language into modern occasion wear. The project explores how heritage textiles can be reimagined through innovative surface techniques while preserving their artistic essence.
Inspired by Ajrakh’s symmetrical compositions and repetitive motifs, the collection moves beyond conventional craft applications by translating its visual identity into stencil-printed fabric strips. These strips are strategically reconstructed onto garments, creating a sense of movement, continuity, and architectural rhythm. The linear arrangement reflects the structured harmony of Ajrakh while introducing a contemporary and sculptural approach to couture design.Designed for fashion-conscious women aged 20–30, the collection features elegant body-contoured and mermaid silhouettes that enhance the placement of the motif strips. The designs focus on refined craftsmanship and minimal embellishment, allowing the surface development to become the central visual element. The balance between structured patterns and fluid forms creates a sophisticated expression of tradition meeting modernity.
The collection uses modal silk as the primary fabric for its soft texture, luxurious sheen, lightweight feel, and graceful drape. The fabric complements the fluid silhouettes while providing an ideal surface for stencil printing. The colour palette of indigo, madder red, black, and beige is inspired by traditional Ajrakh textiles, maintaining a connection to the craft’s heritage while creating a contemporary couture aesthetic.One of the major challenges during the development process was simplifying intricate Ajrakh-inspired motifs into stencil-friendly designs while retaining their visual character. Achieving clean prints on narrow fabric strips, ensuring accurate placement across different silhouettes, and managing the delicate nature of modal silk required careful experimentation and precision.Through “Katut & Contour,” the designer celebrates Ajrakh’s timeless craftsmanship by transforming its traditional visual language into an innovative couture expression. The collection demonstrates how heritage can evolve through creativity, balancing cultural identity with contemporary fashion sensibilities.
