Co-optex opts for ‘cool & comfortable’ summer collection

COIMBATORE: To keep in sync with the rising temperatures, the Tamil Nadu Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Society Ltd launched its exclusive summer collection including organic cotton saris and many other varieties of silk saris and kurtis produced in 10 different regions of the state. The three-day exhibition, ‘Cool Comforts’, which was inaugurated in Coimbatore on Saturday has a display of cotton and silk dhoties and shirts.
The exhibition was inaugurated by district collector, Archana Patnaik at the Residency and the highlight of the exhibition is the organic cotton saris that were introduced during International Women’s Day in March. “Generally, between the month of April and June, we have a lean period, so we decided to come up with 10 such exhibitions to display our summer collection as cotton saris are our core competence,” said T N Venkatesh, managing director, Co-optex. He added that last year they made 32 crore across the country and 27 crore in the state between April and June. “This year, we have set our targets to 40 crore across India and 35 crore in TN,” said Venkatesh. The cotton saris that are on display are from Aruppukottai, Paramakudi, Salem, Trichy, Negamum, Coimbatore, Karaikudi, Dindigul and Madurai.
The spotlight was on the organic saris that were made using natural dyes and without any chemicals. “When we introduced these products they were available only in Chennai and Coimbatore. But now we are getting inquiries for it online from various other cities across the country. Earlier, only two societies were involved in its production but now we have asked 15 other societies to produce these organic cotton saris,” said an official at Co-optex, Coimbatore.