Before there were screens and styluses, there was water, pigment, and the patient hand of the artist. This August, final-year fashion design students at Parul Institute of Design participated in ‘Surface Design Explorations: Marbling & Gogo Techniques’, a workshop designed to reconnect modern fashion practice with age-old artistry.

Some of the most well-traveled paths revolve around marbling in the decorative arts. It started in Japan during the 10th century as ‘suminagashi’, which translates to ink-floating tendrils and patterns of ink on water were gently coaxed into patterns by craftsmen, then transferred to cloth or paper.

Gogo, though less documented in history,  has emerged as the contemporary outer extreme of surface adornment, a rather experimental approach based upon trial and error and hybrid construction. Its versatility enables it to combine with marbling, leaving an outcome of textured and layered patterns.

Over the course of three days, students explored these crafts in both their historical and practical aspects.

Stepping into day 2 of the workshop shifted perspectives as students engaged in advanced marbling on silk and georgette. The introduction of binders and texturing methods challenged students to rethink control in designing. The results of the sessions brought beautiful designs and a room of design students embracing uncertainty. 

Flowing into day 3, breakthrough moments of discovering unique creative voices as the art forms combined. Their documentation now became a piece-by-piece story with aesthetics taking center stage. The conclusion left a profound impact on the students as they experienced a tangible link between century-old traditions and contemporary fashion thinking. 

Henri Matisse once said, “Creativity takes courage.” For these students, that courage was found in the slow patience of marbling and the curiosity of experimenting with gogo. 

When a design bears the imprint of centuries, it is something more than just a decoration; it is a silent conversation of the past and present. How frequently do we, in an attempt to be innovative, step aside and learn the things that have already been perfected?

#SurfaceDesign #FashionEducation #TextileHistory #Marbling #CraftInnovation #ParulDesign