A Historic Moment in Fashion
On September 21st, 2025 at Devonshire Square, London, award-winning sustainable fashion designer Vino Supraja presented WEAVE: A Bhavani Tribute at London Fashion Week. Inspired by the centuries-old Bhavani Jamakkalam, the collection honoured not only the craft but the people who sustain it.
In a landmark moment, master weaver Mr. Sakthivel Periyasamy joined Supraja on the runway to take the final bow. For the first time, the true maker of a heritage craft stood beside the designer on a global stage. The audience was visibly moved, many describing it as a rare, emotional tribute where artisans were celebrated not as background figures but as protagonists of fashion.
Key Highlights
- Heritage Reimagined: The collection drew from the Jamakkalam’s bold stripes and vibrant colours, reimagined into modern silhouettes. Each garment was crafted by connecting multiple panels, culminating in a finale gown of over 400 pieces. Luxury handbags made from original Jamakkalam textiles accompanied the looks, extending the craft into contemporary fashion.
- Performance with Soul: The runway opened with a theatrical piece choreographed by Palani Murugan of the Purisai Therukoothu lineage, performed by Vaanmadhi Jagan. Traditional footwork from Thevarattam and Thapattam was fused with theatre, bringing Jamakkalam to life as culture on stage.
- Music Rooted in Tradition: A specially composed track by music director Paul Jacob blended rare Tamil folk instruments (Kombu, Pambai, Parai, Jimla Melam, Thaarai, Periya Melam) with an English rap by acclaimed Indian rapper BlaaZe, inspired by poet Subramania Bharathiyar, and vocals by folk legends Chinna Ponnu and Antony Dasan.
