Tamil designer presents Tamil art at London Fashion Week 2025

Tamil designer presents Tamil art at London Fashion Week 2025

Returning to London Fashion Week for her second show, award-winning sustainable fashion designer Vino Supraja presented WEAVE: A Bhavani Tribute.

Known for collections that fuse bold design with cultural storytelling, the architect turned designer, collaborates closely with weaving communities of Tamil Nadu to reimagine heritage for the global stage.

Inspired by the centuries-old Bhavani Jamakkalam, Vino’s latest collection honoured not only the craft but the people who sustain it. In a landmark moment, master weaver Mr. Sakthivel Periyasamyjoined 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.

The runway, at Devonshire Terrace, opened with a theatrical piece choreographed by Palani Muruganof 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.

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.

Founder Vino Supraja, has showcased at New York, Brooklyn, Shanghai, and London Fashion Weeks. A strong advocate for ethical luxury, she believes sustainable fashion must be both earth-friendly and people-friendly, ensuring the makers of fashion are honoured with dignity and respect.

Her latest 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.

About the Craft & the Weaver

The Bhavani Jamakkalam from Tamil Nadu, India, is a centuries-old weaving tradition once central to households, famed for its bold stripes and unique pit-loom technique. Today, it faces decline in the face of industrial alternatives.

Representing this legacy, Mr. Sakthivel Periyasamy, who began weaving at 14 and has over five decades of experience, took the global runway to represent every weaver of Bhavani. His presence made the showcase not only a fashion moment, but a historic cultural tribute.