The traditional art of beading was touted as a key drawcard for manufacturing fashion in India at the Brand India Trade Fair in Sydney.
In a seminar attended by local buyers and designers, manufacturers said the significant numbers of workers with craftwork skills meant elaborate, hand-beaded designs could be produced at reasonable cost.
Australian designer Juli Grbac said the beading capabilities of Indian manufacturers enabled her intricate designs to be created.
"I picked out the beads from the showroom and I laid them out on the table in the pattern that I wanted them on the garment," she said. "They took a photo and showed the bead maker the photo and within half an hour the beads were being sewn onto the garment."
The Brand India Trade Show was held in Melbourne last week and in Sydney yesterday and today. The event featured a number of Indian manufacturers across fashion, textiles and home furnishing products.
For a full report pick up the December 4 issue of Ragtrader.