At FOBOU, we take pride in collaborating with the finest artisans and producers in the fashion industry to bring our customers beautifully crafted, timeless pieces. We interviewed one of our closest partners and suppliers, Batin, a luxury Kashmiri clothing brand established in India, to shed light on their story and to explore the rich tradition of their craftsmanship. At FOBOU, our mission is to deliver products of the highest quality to our consumers, while keeping sustainability and the well-being of workers at the heart of what we do.
Discover the process behind Batin’s stunning creations and explore the story of the skill and passion that bring their designs to life- pieces that seamlessly merge tradition with modern elegance to result in timeless additions to anyone’s wardrobe.
Where was Batin founded?
Batin was founded in the Kashmir Valley in India. The cultural heritage of this region can be seen in almost every aspect of Batin’s products, whether that be design, material or silhouette.
Walk us through the history of your embroidery process:
Kashmiri Tilla embroidery, also known as Zari work, is a form of embroidery that has its roots in the Kashmir Valley in India. The technique is unique and distinct from other forms of embroidery due to its intricate use of metallic threads, primarily gold and silver, to create exquisite patterns and designs on various fabrics.
Kashmiri Tilla embroidery has been a significant part of the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the Mughal era, when it was used to embellish the garments of kings and royalty. Over time, the art form became more popular and accessible and was incorporated into the traditional dress of the Kashmiri people, including the pheran, the traditional Kashmiri robe.
Explain your embroidery technique:
Kashmiri Tilla embroidery is a highly skilled and time-consuming process. It involves the use of a specialized needle, which is used to create intricate designs on the fabric. The metallic threads are then sewn onto the fabric, creating a raised and textured effect, adding depth to the clothes. The designs often feature motifs such as flowers, leaves, and vines.
One of the most beautiful applications of Kashmiri Tilla embroidery is in the embellishment of Pashmina shawls and scarves. The intricate designs and patterns of Tilla embroidery are carefully sewn onto the fine Pashmina fabric, creating a luxurious and elegant effect. The use of metallic threads and other embellishments such as beads and sequins adds additional texture to the design, creating a one-of-a-kind piece that is both beautiful and functional.
How has the Kashmiri Tilla embroidery technique gained world-wide popularity and how does it still remain celebrated today?
Kashmiri Hand Tilla embroidery has gained worldwide recognition and appreciation for its unique beauty and intricate craftsmanship. This traditional art form of Kashmir has been exported to many countries, where it has been used to create beautiful and luxurious garments, accessories, and even home décor items.
Tilla embroidery has also gained popularity in South Asia, where it is commonly used to embellish bridal wear and formal attire. In countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, Tilla embroidery is often combined with other embroidery techniques such as Zardozi, to create beautiful and intricate designs that are unique and distinctive to the regions.
In Europe and North America, Tilla embroidery has gained popularity among designers and fashion enthusiasts who appreciate the unique beauty and craftsmanship of this traditional art form. Many designers have incorporated Tilla embroidery into their collections, creating pieces that are highly sought after by consumers who value luxury, quality, and uniqueness.
Across time, we have seen kaftans slowly creep into Western fashion designs. During the 1950s and 1960s, kaftan styles began appearing in designs by Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga as a form of a loose-fitting evening gown that was often beaded and made of silk fabric, drawing directly from the Kashmiri Tilla embroidery tradition that is at the heart of Batin.
Walk us through the process of physically making your clothes and explain the materials used:
Our founder started work at the factory when he was 16, so he is highly skilles and familiar with the process and takes a hands-on role in the company still. We use a needle called an Aari needle to embroider our pieces to create a variety of stunning patterns.
We also use an array of different fabrics and materials. We use cotton usually for special requests and we also commonly use pashmina which is acquired from local goats.
It is a common job in the region for people to obtain pashmina from goats. Our factory purchases directly from these workers to produce our fabrics which we later use to create pashmina jackets and scarves, working closely with our local community. We source a plethora of other fabrics to in order to produce an incredibly rich and diverse product range.
We also hand-dye many of our fabric. In order to make the best products, Batin will purchase white undyed fabric, and we dye it at our factory to get the ideal hues.
What makes your products stand out from other similar brands?
What sets Batin from other fashion brands is our devotion to artistry and quality, all while preserving tradition. Many factories claim to create kaftans from Kashmir and claim to be authentic but in reality, they are lying to their customers. To ensure that your Kashmir is of the highest quality, it is imperative that you source it from the region itself, which is what we do.
What differentiates us from other brands is that we both maintain traditional designs while meeting the needs of our modern customers. Working with FOBOU has allowed us to expand our clientele to an international scale which we deeply appreciate as it allows us to share our traditional style with the world.
How do you prioritise sustainability, worker-welfare and give back to the community?
We hire many women, providing many local people with jobs. These women are highly skilled and familiar with the local tradition of embroidery. Some women have worked with us for over 20 years and are highly skilled in the variety of traditional Tilla embroidery methods. We work closely with our artisans to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions and access to training and education. By promoting the work of our artisans, we hope to preserve the unique skills and traditions that make Kashmiri textiles so special.
What are your hopes for Batin in the future?
In the future, we hope to expand our factory and employ more and more people - connecting others with the company. We hope to be able to offer more women in our community jobs to not only allow us to produce more products, but to grow and give back to our community.
