The Organic Cotton Tote

When I started Whitewater, I wanted to use only organic fabrics to create bags as I truly believed in the goodness of the organic cotton chain. However, the Indian consumer at that point, was not ready to embrace organic cotton. There were few brands using this for garments and almost none who were using it to make bags. At a personal level, I also started questioning use of this fabrics for a product that stays away from the body unlike garments which are like second skin.With this ORGANIC COTTON TOTE BAG, I go back to where it all began. 

The organic cotton used for this bag is locally called kala cotton and is cultivated without modifying the genes of the cotton plant. It is one of the most water efficient varieties of cotton in the world and has almost no carbon impact therefore making is energy efficient also. (referred from 'Kachchh Organic Cotton Story' at khamir.org on 5.6.2012. More more details please visit khamir.org). I was convinced to buy this fabric by Pareshbhai at an exhibition in Ahmedabad and I am told by them that this bag is the first bag to be made out of kala cotton. 

Soon to hit the stores in India, this bag will also be available online on clusiv.in. For all international queries, please get in touch on whitewaterdesigns@gmail.com.

Summer 2012

I finally got around documenting all the bags (well, almost!) that I have made in the last three years. Phew!!! What a mammoth task! A large part of the credit for this has to go to Tony, who has recently launched the online store clusiv.in and absolutely insists on good quality photographs. Since Whitewater is soon going to be available online, I pushed myself and the results are lovely. Photographed by Mumbai based photographer Bharat Bhirangi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bharatbhirangi/) and styled by Aarti Manik, a photographer and potter, and the better half of Bharat (http://www.photographyserved.com/gallery/The-flower-market/920518)  the photographs reflect the simplicity of Whitewater Designs. Here are some of the clutch bags:

Hand Applique clutch in silk

Hand embroidered clutch in silk

 Two varities of Crossbody bags in an assortment of colours:

Chaukor Slingbag

 
 And two of the shoulderbags hitting the stores this summer. 

Organic Cotton Tote Bag

Wrapped shoulderbag

Each one special

The illustration is based on a children's poem written by me, inspired by a popular folk notion of the peacock's vanity and the association of birds with the monsoon season. The frangipani tree or champa is a common sight on the streets of Ahmedabad.

EACH ONE SPECIAL

Perched on the treetop,

The cuckoo sings

Dark clouds and raindrops

With him, he brings

“O cuckoo”, the peacock cries

“I have beauty and poise,

But not a beautiful voice,

How I wish, I could sing like you!”

“Ha! Ha! You can’t”, the cuckoo teased

You must have been naughty

When you were a small kid.

“God made us each special”

The wise owl spoke up

“Peacock, he gave you beauty

Cuckoo, he gave you voice

To me, he gave wisdom

And the nights to rejoice”

The quilted shoulderbag has khadi cotton on the outside and waterproof fabric inside, making it a perfect companion for the monsoons. Other colours I have experimented with are black, deep blue and strong coffee with contrasting inner colours and zippers.

The Carnation Bag is created out of handwoven reversible fabric and has thick drawstring closure and handles, which can be tied around the bag to make it into a smaller potli. The flower is created out of the fabric wastage.

The Iris Bag was my first design to be launched under the label. Donning a new colour and new fabric each time I make it, this time the choice was handwoven fabric from the North east of India.

My first few bags (2008) inspired by the pleating technique, which adds volume and at the same time helps to manipulate the form of the bag.