The word ikat comes from the Malay word "mengikat" which means to bind or tie. It is an ancient technique of dyeing. The son chosen to implement a cloth are separated into bundles, which are then tied or knotted into sections of varying length (that is why we also call this technique "dyeing node"). The purpose of these bindings is to prevent the dye reaching the son protected.
After the last color bath, rinsing, and drying the undoing of the son are mounted on the loom. Those who kept their original color - often clear - then mix with those who are dyed: the tangled string son and weft ikat then reveals the reason in its entire splendor.
Sometimes the artisans use wax to protect the portions of the wire they want to keep raw. According to the reservations concerning the son of dyeing warp weft or both at once, they get the tissues on which the vertical or horizontal pattern more apparent. If the result remains unclear (color always reaches a little bit protected parts), it also gives it its authentic beauty ikat cloth ...
If this expertise is part of the culture of the countries of South East Asia for centuries, now found ikats woven in all regions of the world. This form of art varies greatly from one country to another ... In India, the double ikat silk woven in the town of Patan and is especially renowned in these fabrics which are cut silk saris and scarves ceremony play a vital role in social and religious, often symbolized as ikat wealth or prestige. In Japan, the tissues are called ikats Kasuri and enter into the preparation of traditional futons.
But silk is not always the raw material of ikat. Thus, the Philippines, is the cotton or abaca is used as the south of the Sahara. In Madagascar, the fibers are raffia weavers dyed by this method. In Latin America, Peruvian or Colombian artists realize ikats from wool.
Moreover, it takes so long, patience and know-how to make a fabric that Indonesian ikat attribute to these fabrics magical powers. In France, the historic center of silk, Lyon, now produces silk ikatées the expanded palette of colors and patterns become more complex, thanks to the many technical advances in the area.
This is certainly one of the reasons that ikat back now in fashion, top designers are likely to use this fabric to make their authentic suits or coats. Thus, Dries Van Noten, Stefano Pilati, Ricardo Tisci, Giorgio Armani, Marc Jacobs or John Galliano did they not hesitate to introduce their latest ikat parades.
Beyond the ready-to-wear, the hand-crafted and refined these fabrics also sought upholstery.
