On the Textile Trail | Travel + Leisure

On the Textile Trail

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The Textile Society of America, in Earleville, Maryland, (410/275-2329; www.textilesociety.org) and the Textile Museum, in Washington, D.C., (202/667-0441; www.textilemuseum.org) organize textile tours around the world, including in India. Other Indian textile resources in this story are listed below.

MUMBAI

The Indian Textiles Co. Luxurious, high-end fabrics from all over India, collected by owners Sushil and Meera Kumar. Shop and showroom are in the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower hotel in downtown Mumbai. (Apollo Bunder; 91-22/2202-8783).

MarketPlace The vision of Indian social worker Pushpika Freitas, this 20-year-old Chicago-based nonprofit works with women in the slums of Mumbai, marketing their products in the U.S., and, along with Indian partner share, promotes community development. Reasonably priced clothing and home furnishings. (800/726-8905; www.marketplaceindia.com).

Mehta & Padamsey Textile designer Meera Mehta has a superb sense of color and works with weavers around the country. (Fort Chambers, C Block, Tamarind St., Fort; 91-22/2265-0905).

Studio Aavartan The boutique of handicrafts expert and design consultant Bela Shanghvi. (Ness Baug, Annex 1, Shop No. 1, Nana Chowk; 91-22/2387-3202)

WomenWeave Charitable Trust U.N.-supported nonprofit that seeks to improve Indian women’s lives by marketing their handloomed products. (83 Gool Rukh, Worli Seaface; 91-22/5625-8709; www.womenweavers.org).

GUJARAT

Calico Museum of Textiles A mecca among textile museums, with one of the world’s finest collections of antique and contemporary Indian textiles, including rare tapestries and costumes. It is constructed from parts of old village houses and is located in Shahi Bagh Gardens, about three miles north of Ahmedabad. (91-79/2786-8172).

Kala Raksha Cofounded by Judy Frater, former associate curator of the Textile Museum in Washington, D.C., this trust supports local artisans and preserves traditional crafts in Kutch, including embroidery. (Parkar Vas, Sumrasar Sheikh; 91-2808/277-237; www.kala-raksha.org).

Museum Quality Textiles A. A. Wazir and his sons have been collecting embroidery and textiles that are true to their shop’s name for more than 25 years. (107/B-1, Lotus Colony, P.C.V. Mehta School Marg, Bhuj; 91-2832/224-187; www.museumqualitytextiles.com).

WHERE TO STAY

Garha Safari Lodge A good base just outside Bhuj for exploring the handicrafts and textile traditions of the diverse Muslim, Hindu, and Jain people in rural Kutch. Owner Mike Vaghela can arrange village tours. (Rudrani Dam, Bhuj; 91-79/2646-3818; doubles from $60)

CHENNAI AREA

Dakshinachitra Historic houses from south India have been transplanted to this beautiful 10-acre site by the sea to introduce visitors to the cultures and craft traditions of Tamil Nadu and other provinces. The American-born founder, anthropologist Deborah Thaigarajan, continues to expand exhibits and education programs. Artisans work on-site and sell their wares. (East Coast Rd., Muttukadu, Chennai; 91-44/2747-2603; www.dakshinachitra.net).

Kalamkari Research & Training Centre Run by master textile painter J. Niranjan Shetty. (Plot 4, Shirdi Sai Temple, Chennai Rd., Sri Kalahasti; 91-984/959-9239).

Nalli Chinnasami Chetty Five incredible floors of fabrics from throughout the south—Kanchipuram silks and saris, cottons and ready-made clothes—and packed with Indian shoppers. Most salesmen speak English. (9 Nageswaran Rd., Panegal Park, T. Nagar, Chennai; 91-44/2434-4115; www.nalli.com). Nalli also has shops throughout India and a U.S. outlet in Mountain View, California (650/938-0700).

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