Byloom Celebrates 15 Years in Kolkata with a Unique Fusion of Fabric and Food
On a warm February evening, the Alka Jalan Foundation at Daga Nikunj transformed into a vibrant celebration of fabric, flavor, and fellowship. Byloom, the renowned handwoven textile brand, marked a significant milestone of being in Kolkata for 15 years with an event titled Loominous: An Ode to Kolkata. This special occasion celebrated the loom that weaves the exclusive fabrics crafted for Byloom, blending tradition with modern aesthetics.
A Journey from Indigenous Weaves to Contemporary Design
Founded by Bappaditya Biswas and Malavika Banerjee, Byloom has long been synonymous with handwoven textiles that reinterpret tradition for the contemporary woman. The evening commenced with an intimate conversation tracing the brand's journey, from its early days of reviving indigenous weaves to becoming a label that urban women increasingly turn to for timeless yet functional design.
Discussions turned towards reminiscing moments of quiet triumph, involving famous personalities and popular venues. For Bappaditya, textiles are not merely garments but living archives. "We have tried to create a brand that weaves the needs of women today into time-honored textile practices," he said, emphasizing Byloom's commitment to preserving craft while responding to evolving lifestyles. His deep love for fabric, including the fall of a weave, the quiet luxury of handspun cotton, and the poetry in texture, has profoundly shaped the brand's aesthetic vocabulary.
Celebrating Kolkata's Eclectic Spirit
Malavika Banerjee articulated the philosophy behind the evening's unique concept. "We wanted Byloom to celebrate two aspects of Kolkata – the gloriously eclectic food of the city. Other cities claim authenticity, we claim that as well as a Kolkata flavor. The second was to showcase the micro-communities that give this city its inclusive and all-embracing vibe," she noted.
Instead of professional models, the ramp belonged to some of Kolkata's culinary stars and members from diverse communities. People from the city's vibrant food fraternity swapped their chef coats for drapes and silhouettes in handwoven textiles, embodying the cross-pollination that defines Kolkata. Among them were Chef Shaun Kenworthy, Auroni Mookherjee, Abhinandan Kundu, Manzilat Khan, Tanvi Ghai, and many other well-known faces from the hospitality circuit.
Doma Wang's Ramp Debut and Community Highlights
Doma Wang, Kolkata's much-loved "Momo queen," brought an unmistakable spark to the evening. With her infectious smile and signature swagger, Wang turned her ramp debut into a moment of pure joy. "It was my first time walking on the ramp and I absolutely had a blast," Wang said with her characteristic candor. "Loved the camaraderie among the people from the industry and the chance to get out of our chef coats and into the beautiful weaves from Byloom."
The evening concluded with a quintessential Kolkata-style jolkhabar, featuring koraishutir kochuri, aloor dom, and momo, reinforcing the theme that food and fabric are twin pillars of the city's multicultural identity.
Fashion Director's Reflection on the Event
Fashion director Pinky Kenworthy shared her thoughts on the success of Loominous. "Loominous was a celebration of people from different communities – from Anglo Indians, to Parsees, to foreigners – the intent of the show was to connect them together into the cultural melting pot that this city is. I think it worked very well - the singer perfectly timed everything and made it feel truly like a Kolkata-worthy show," she said.
This event not only highlighted Byloom's 15-year legacy but also showcased how fashion, food, and community can intertwine to celebrate Kolkata's rich cultural tapestry.
