Introducing Sri Lankan batik befitting contemporary lifestyle and identities

Abstract

The research paper thesis explores the Sri Lankan textile heritage of traditional batik handicraft to pioneer new printing patterns techniques into clothing, so as to demonstrate the potential of reviving the textile industry that can be propelled to the international fashion scene. The methodology of carrying out the research includes primary and secondary sources. The first main part of the study covers the Sri Lankan traditional art of batik making. It looks into its history, origins, and methods of creating the patterns to decorate the cloths. Also, it looks into the ancient process of dying the fabric using natural ways, derived from plants, fruits and roots. The research was carried out to investigate and analyze the traditional batik methods and printing patterns (samples, photographs, drawings) to enrich the study. And, it relies on methods such as books, batik showrooms and museum visits. The second part focuses on working closely with a local batik craftworker to develop unique, intrinsic batik samples on cotton, that preserve the authenticity of Sri Lankan Heritage and reflect the contemporary fashion trends. The entire process was carries out in a local batik workshop to study, learn and observe closely the different process of making traditional batik printing and elaborate new samples. In the third part of research a sample of the innovative batik designs is translated into clothing that follows a coordinated garment look such skirt and top. The look is designed in a fashionable modern way that includes contemporary cuts and production methods. All production methods were accomplished successfully demonstrated in a photoshoot. After the successful completion of the three primary parts highlighted above, a survey was carried out, to assess the importance of Sri Lankan batik as a cultural identity in the local market and the need of finding new ways of application that reflect modern printing patterns and clothing designs. The results show the potential to propel the Sri Lankan batik to the international fashion arena by preserving its traditional authenticity and adopting external contemporary fashion influences that follows current international trends.