I Travelled Through Craft Clusters To Find My Muse: Anavila Misra

Digital Women Awards (DWA) honours talent, entrepreneurship, discovery and creation by and among women who are creating businesses using the Internet. Women are bringing alive designs for a new India with developments in digital and tech, changing their lives and the nation's potential. This new entrepreneurial spirit is what can take India to the next level and put women in the lead.

Keeping this in mind, DWA invited Anavila Misra as a speaker to provide an insight into her fashion muses. And how digital has changed the way she works.

“It all starts with what we love to do,” said Anavila Misra, the prominent designer shares her journey and knowledge in 2019 Digital Women Awards. Her sustainable designs worn with ease and comfort have been adopted by many actors. Konkana Sen Sharma, Rani Mukerji, Deepti Naval, Kajol and famed launcher-of-blouse styles Vidya Balan, have been seen adorned in her designs. Her works speak of the current times for the growing need of conscious fashion. “We think we need to be 'proper' in a sari,” remarks Misra. “I wanted to break that pattern to show the comfort with which it can be worn.”

She shares the journey of her travels and the very different picture painted of handloom weavers, artisans, and craftsmen, which is distinct from reality. Thus, she explains that the digital world helped her connect with her customers who wanted to buy these handloom sarees.

This conversation was moderated by Shaili Chopra, founder of SheThePeople.TV and re-emphasised the need to be involved with your work, be it any service, product or anything one has to offer.

Anavila Misra talks about her belief in what she is creating and her journey from then to now.

@anavilamisra brings in the best combination of linen and zari. When you question the existence of saree, watch her creativity. #DigitalWomenAwards @shailichopra @SheThePeople pic.twitter.com/HeRzSr1oQx

— Blogchatter® (@blogchatter) November 23, 2019

The power of digital to build a brand

Anavila, talks about the beginning when her clients started sending her pictures. And she began travelling to clusters of art forms which eventually inspired her work. She shares the journey of her travels and the very different picture painted of handloom weavers, artisans, and craftsmen, which is distinct from reality. Thus, she explains that the digital world helped her connect with her customers who wanted to buy these handloom sarees. Moreover, her awareness about it enabled her to fulfil these demand. Misra's inspirations are far-ranging, but her creative muses are to be found closer home — in every craft cluster she's ever worked in, which she says are much like textile museums, and often, in the artisans themselves.

Also Read: Engage And Elevate, Steps Towards Women Empowerment At DWA

So impressed with what @anavilamisra has created with linen and Zari. Check out her unique sarees. #DigitalWomenAwards @SheThePeople https://t.co/j7nrKXXrLR

— ElsaMarie D'Silva (she/her) (@elsamariedsilva) November 23, 2019

“We think we need to be 'proper' in a sari,” remarks Misra. “I wanted to break that pattern to show the comfort with which it can be worn.”

Advice on building a brand through social media

“If you are creating a space of social media, you should curate it in a way that is very real to what you stand for and believe in, and is authentic to your work,” Misra says on being asked the tricks of the trade to place your brand image digitally successfully.

Also Read: 'Follow Your Passion, Prioritise Yourself': DWA Winner Shruti Dandekar

Saumya Rastogi is an intern with SheThePeople.TV