DAY 6

 After breakfast with the trek coordinators and some other students in a feedback session where we spoke about the future plans for the trip, we left on the bus to our next destination, the Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI). It was here that we were able to get started on our project, the main deliverable of this trip. We decided on creating a website that would document all of our adventures and the work we had done as well as embellishing one of the t-shirts we were given at TechnoCraft Industries. Drawing on the symbolism of the roses gifted to us whilst there, as well as it being native of our own country, we decided to create a number of fabric roses from material we had sourced at the House of Anita Dongre studios. 

 

     We had lunch at Dali Bhavan which was by far the poshest food I have ever eaten, a range of curries followed by triangle ice creams wrapped in leaves as well as chopped mangoes. After lunch, we headed the Anita Dongre retail stores in Khar West. The clothes were all stunning with intricate embroidery, bead work and dyes. The inside of the building had been decorated by a number of very talented craftsmen and artists, one wall had huge Indian emblems across it in gold and blue and another had sculptural wooden pieces on it. The Jewellery collections were also gorgeous but I think my favourite items were the top and trouser co-ord sets that were in the grassroots section.

 

     After browsing through the first store which housed the Anita Dongre and Grassroots brands, we headed over to the retail stores of the other brands, And and Global Desi. These two brands were more affordable on our student budgets and also heavily influenced by western clothing which made us more comfortable wearing and purchasing the items. More exciting though was the discovery of headbands with the Made in Charoti labels on them!

 

     We headed back to ISDI and had an enlightening talk by a member of Vogue India. She spoke of her history working in a fast fashion embroidery factory and the effect that her time here had on her views towards the industry. We were told about the work that the publishing giant does to promote sustainable fashion, like their weekly promotion of new sustainable fashion brands. Following this was refreshments and a brief networking session before we headed back towards the Taj President. 

 

     Most of the group then headed out for dinner at a beautiful rooftop restaurant with wide, low tables and benches where we ordered lots of food and just enjoyed our final full night together. After a couple of beers together back at the hotel as well as a dip in the pool to cool down from the heat, we headed up to our rooms. Coming up to the end of the trip, it seems important to note that the whole group has bonded incredibly well. We already have plans to meet up for Indian food in September on the assumption that, by then, we’ll have the stomachs for it again.