Drawing from street style: Artisanal fashion inspired by an iconic textile, the Gamcha

You’ll see them worn by rickshaw pullers, laborers and vendors on the streets of Kolkata. 

Wrapped around foreheads, flung over shoulders, worn around the neck, tied at the waist or used as a shield from the elements—the gamcha is one of the most unassuming yet iconic textiles in India.

There’s a pattern - checks, stripes or both, in simple, often contrasting colors. See the image below of a Calcutta (Kolkata is the name today) rickshaw-puller.

Rickshaw-puller with a Gamcha around his neck

As a textile lover, I’ve always been drawn to checks and plaids.

I think its because of their simplicity. And because they’re timeless. I don’t use the word timeless lightly - but I can use it to describe checks - they almost define it. 

The gamcha makes a statement. It is the working man’s fabric, versatile and durable.

It’s a simple cotton cloth, but it is so much more than just a towel or a scarf.

It’s a symbol, a tribute to the people that wear it, to the hands that make it and to cultural heritage. 

In recent years, the humble Gamcha is enjoying its best days yet, as it is inspiring designers to create beautiful apparel using its simple design. Here are two designs of scarves inspired by this icon. They're brand new on my website.

Here is an image of one of my scarves.