Advanced Silk Painting Technique Makes For Wearable Art

Textile designer Kavita Singh has developed silk painting techniques that produce easy to care for garments. Consumers are more likely to purchase garments that require little to no special treatment.

SARATOGA, CA - (Page9 Media) June 8, 2002

Silk has always been known as a luxurious fabric. The word alone brings to mind richness and beauty that is delicate and frail. But did you know silk is actually very durable, versatile and can be almost carefree?

Through the ages silk has been cherished for it's unique feel and lustrous shine. Wearing silk was not only pleasing to the touch and to the eye, it also signified wealth and refinement. Through the ages silk has not changed, but life styles certainly have. Today's consumers demand quality, style and versatility. Modern shoppers invest in garments that look great, travel well and need little to no special care. When competing for consumer clothing dollar beauty and style is not enough.

Silk artist Kavita Singh knows silks and knows what consumers want. Kavita is an internationally know textile designer who specializes in hand painted silk. Her design studio in Saratoga, California is where she produces her wearable works of art, which she sells at fine art and craft shows in the bay area, on her web site silknbeauty.com
and at selected boutiques in the US including Hawaii, and in the Virgin Islands.

"I feel that my designs draw customers to my garments, but many times it's the care instructions on the tag that sells them" says Kavita. Many shoppers love the beautiful colors and intricate designs, but hesitate to spend on something they can't wear often or easily. When they see that the garments are colorfast, shrink resistant and hand washable they are delightfully surprised. Dry cleaning is always an option. A light ironing after hand washing is all it takes. Knowing that you can toss a hand painted silk jacket or ruana into your suitcase is a great relief. Packing wrinkles usually disappear when you hang the garment up over night! Also, when you know your favorite garment is colorfast you can wear it often. Frequent wear and washing will not diminish the beauty of these silk garments. When consumers spend their clothing dollars, these factors can make the sale.

Producing a superior silk garment with these characteristics is no easy task. Kavita has been hand-painting silk fabrics for over 25 years. While developing her personal style of painting she has also perfected her silk painting technique. Silk artists from many disciplines in many countries contact Kavita to ask how she achieves such results.

Kavita's road to success is a journey that began in her homeland of India. Kavita began studying art at an early age, and continued through college. After graduation she moved to Paris where she continued studying textile design and a variety of painting techniques.
When the road led her to Malaysia, she designed for members of the royal family. Eventually the journey led to the United States where she has settled in Saratoga, California. As a professional textile designer she has created for major fashion designers, including Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin, and major fabric companies, including Schumacher, Cannon and Burlington.

Kavita has never stopped perfecting her craft. Kavita knows that very silk painter must understand the personality of all types of silk fabrics. Kavita chooses from imported creamy silk charmeuse, sheer silk chiffon, textured silk jacquard and lustrous china silk. The fabric selection is dictated by the type of garment it will become. By choosing silk charmeuse for jackets, Kavita produces beautiful jackets that hangs well and feels rich and luxurious. Silk chiffon is chosen for ruanas to make them light and airy. You can wear a ruana as a beach wrap or wear it draped over wool suit in the winter. Silk chiffon has a texture, which does not slip. It stays where you put it when worn as an accessory.

Hand painted silk garments are indeed specialty items, but they are in direct competition with countless synthetic wash and wear garments in today's marketplace. To make a garment beautiful is not enough. You must offer customers a high quality product that fits their lifestyle.

About hand-painted silk garments:

Kavita Singh has been hand painting silk for over 25 years. During her career as a textile designer she has developed techniques that produce beautiful easy to care for garments. Kavita's studio is in Saratoga, Ca. She exhibits her work in the bay area at fine art and craft show. Her works are sold in boutiques and from her web site at: http://www.silknbeauty.com