Zohran Spotlights Assam’s Ahimsa Silk In Global Fashion Statement

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY – Zohran Mamdani’s New Year’s Day swearing in as New York City’s mayor carried a quiet fashion statement with global resonance. Beneath the expected uniform of a black overcoat and crisp white shirt was a detail that spoke softly but powerfully: a gold embroidered tie made from eri silk, a textile rooted in the craft traditions of Assam.

The tie was created by Kartik Research, a Delhi-based menswear label founded in 2021 by designer Kartik Kumra. The brand has built a reputation for translating Indian textile heritage into modern menswear. For Mamdani’s historic moment, Kartik Research selected eri silk sourced directly from Assam.

Eri silk, often called ahimsa silk,  is produced primarily in Assam, with smaller centers in Meghalaya and Nagaland. The craft sustains thousands of rural households. Along with pat, muga, and tussar, eri is one of the four traditional silks of Assam, deeply embedded in the region’s cultural and economic fabric.

What sets eri silk apart is not just its origin, but its process. The fiber is spun from the cocoon of the samia ricini silkworm. Unlike conventional silk production, the eri cocoon remains open at one end, allowing the moth to emerge naturally before the fiber is harvested. This practice permits the silkworm to complete its life cycle, giving eri silk its ethical standing within sericulture.

Breathable yet insulating, washable, wrinkle resistant and naturally hypoallergenic, the fabric softens over time, developing character with use. These qualities have made it versatile across garments, from shawls and jackets to tailored pieces and home textiles.

In 2024, it received Oeko Tex certification from Germany, confirming its compliance with international standards for environmentally safe and responsible textile production.