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INDONESIA: Garments with a message

BALI: Zoe Zimmerman, 36, is a world away on the Indonesian island of Bali.
She is a world away from her life in Smithville.

Wedged between her knees and an arm, and stuffed under her seat are colourful fabrics, neatly folded. Silk and cotton, ikat,  Batik and Cotton bamboo.

In her backpack is more fabric and fashion sketches. Sketches she hopes will soon become the debut of a very special line of clothing. Zoe has been to Bali before and has cultivated a deep fondness for its spiritual people. Children learn to meditate. And everyone is matter-of-fact about their belief that the spiritual and physical worlds are one.

As she winds her way through the pot-holed streets of Ubud, the cultural heartbeat of Bali, it's about a 10-minute drive to her destination. Carrying her fabrics, she carefully walks on narrow dirt paths that wind their way through a lush rice paddy. Slowly, she makes her way towards a little brick house with clay tiled roof.

There, she meets Gog, a quiet man with thick black hair, dark skin and eyes that smile back at her. He is her tailor. And from his shop, her dreams will come true. She spends three months in Ubud. And when she returns to Canada, she brings with her a line of clothing. It's called Kataya, named after her goddaughter.

The look is traditional Asian with a modern, youthful twist. Think fishermen's pants done in Indonesian silk and cotton. Chairman Mau denim jackets with linen flare pants and kimono-styled tops in silk batik. The lines are clean & simple. The fabric is natural, and native to the island. The feel is comfortable.

But to Zoe, it's more than just fashion. It's clothing with a conscience.
She wants people to think not just about how they look, but about the issues that are close to her own heart Global connectedness, accountability, Self-awareness and compassion. With each garment comes a thought-provoking quotation.

The Kataya line is offered in sizes from small to extra large. All the clothing is created under Fair Trade.

Source: Agencies • News Courtesy: BharatTextile.com