World's largest handloom skirt
2024-06-01On March 8, 2024, Shemina Sasikumar, from Calicut, Kerala, India, set the world record for the "Largest handloom dress made by a woman." The impressive dimensions of the skirt are 108.23 meters in total circumference, with a waist measurement of 8.30 meters and a length of 1.43 meters.
Ms. Sasikumar enlisted the help of weavers from the Kannancheri Weavers' Cooperative Society, as well as from the Keraladheeshapuram Weavers' Cooperative Society in Tanur, to weave the fabric specifically for her. Motifs depicting Theyyam, in traditional colors such as red, orange, yellow, and black, were printed on the off-white handloom fabric, while other complementary designs were stenciled onto it. Ms. Sasikumar spent over a month stitching the fabric together to create a skirt.
This skirt, which is an attempt to set a record, is a replica of a commercially available mini-skirt. It leaves viewers awestruck. The skirt attracts crowds and has gained good publicity. This initiative truly serves as an inspiration for others to support local artisans and celebrate cultural heritage.