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Sarees-Indian fashion goes international

avik — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:01:09 +0000

Fashion has always meant enviable vibrance marking an individuals personality distinctly from others. Indian Fashion clubbed with the former has been perceived by noted fashion critics and international style emblems as not only an assortment of bright colours but also rich embossment to resemble the very abundance of royalty that India was.Add to that ethnicity of the clothes completed by the accessories to complete the entire fashion fiesta. A mind’s eye view of the assortment of fashion wear or clothes that Indian women wear and make themselves viable for would make many a counterpart from the west go green. Saree, salwar kameez, churidar, lehenga choli, lehenga saree style ………..the list goes on. And the list of accessories is endless, bangles, ear rings and body adorning ornaments. Even Indian Khadi wear, jute accessories and “jhola” bags are very en’ vogue in the West.

Recently when the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid a visit to the USA, Barack Obama played host to a dinner party in his honour. Michelle Obama, so well renowned for her fashion sense, sported a strapless gown designed by Indian designer Naeem Khan and ornamented and hand crafted by Indian craftsmen. That’s what they call hospitality with style! Michelle Salahi, whose instant claim to fame in the US tabloids and media was attending the same party without an invitation, security unaware, wore a beautiful gold beading and sequined hand embroidered saree that drew many a compliment at the party reportedly. The very same saree is going under the hammer at Potomack Co. The Salahi’s, reportedly want 80% of the proceeds to go to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund. No better way for the saree to make news than by helping a noble cause.

The Indian Film Industry , accredited to being the largest worldwide has adorned many a beautiful lady with the best of the six yards, draping them in laboriously crafted and delicately embroidered and designed sarees to create an on-screen persona of a diva or goddess. With the tremendous popularity of Indian films worldwide and specially overseas, UK and USA, with huge sub-continent settlements there, sarees have rapidly caught the eyes of all sundry internationally. The fashion police have been alerted and the saree became an international fashion emblem associated with elegance and sheer royalty. Indian designers have repeatedly presented their designs and wares at international film festivals and won rave reviews and adulation for their creative genius perpetrated in the conceptualization of the modern day saree, a must for every woman’s wardrobe.

Saree-The Whole 6 Yards

avik — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:02:25 +0000

Saree or sari is as reminiscent of India today as is the Taj Mahal.6 yards of cloth to be draped over the female body; the word derives its origin from the ancient Sanskrit language having the same meaning. The origin of the saree can be traced back to as long as 1800 B.C. It was first observed and noticed in pictorial representations of a priest having the drape over his waist in excavations of the Indus Valley Civilization. In tandem with the conservative Indian culture a saree covers the entire female body leaving the bare hands. The only exposed part is the navel. According to ancient Indian History, the navel of the Supreme Being is the source of life and creativity. Thus the mid riff of the female body is to be left bare by the saree.

The Saree is an unique piece of female clothing which is adorned by different regional settlements in different styles, having different regional names but all attributing their origin to the Saree. Strangely the Saree is the ideal representation of the very essence of India, Unity amongst Diversity. Different people, diverse languages and even diverse features but all united under the Indian tricolor. In the hills of Meghalaya and Manipur in the North Eastern parts of India it is worn as a wrap around the waist and a separate piece of clothing on the upper torso and it is called a “Mekhla”. Further down in the plains of Andhra Pradesh, native women folk pass the pleats of the saree between the legs and tuck it into the waist which allows free movement while covering the legs. Here the saree is called as “Nivi”. Bengali women, of the eastern part of India from the state of Bengal, so renowned for their beauty and traditional conservativeness are most renowned for their interpretation of wearing the saree as a continuous cloth covering the waist and legs and then passed upwards to cover the blouse over the bosom and call it a “shari or sari”.

However in course of time, traditionally Indian ethnic wear, the saree and salwar kameez and their extensions,lehenga choli have evoked Europe and America as a International fashion option and they have shown keen interest. Although Western women may find draping in a saree and carrying it off very cumbersome, but women are increasingly opting for and showing keen interests in such ethic wear. Today the saree is not limited to a plain and simple 6 yard cloth but available in heavily embroidered and ornamented versions and they even come in exquisite hand crafted pieces as well.

Zardozi, a form of embroidery uses gold and silver thread and pearls and precious stones as well. Today sarees are no more limited by geographic or cultural boundaries. Saree as a ethnic wear and a symbol of status is unanimous amongst women from both spheres of the globe.

The Saga of Salwar Suits in India

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:20:56 +0000

Anarkali Salwar Kameez

The saga of salwar kameezes date as far back as the 12th century when the Islamic invasion in the Indian subcontinent led to the rule of the Mughal empire. During that time the salwar kameez was a dress not only of women but men as well. While women’s kurtas were fitted and worn with a dupatta, men wore loose kurtas with a skull cap.

Over the years the salwar kameez has established itself as a part of the national dresses of India. Its popularity is still on the rise and women of all ages can be seen wearing it throughout the country. For youngsters who find it uncomfortable to wear sarees and yet still can’t adapt to western wear, the salwar kameez is the perfect compromise.

The popularity of salwar kameez comes from the fact that it is comfortable for any kind of use. For day wear simple prints, light fabrics and sober colors work very well as office wear or for day to day chores. When it comes to partying or clubbing, blingy salwar kameezes in bold colors and with heavy embellishments are perfect for the occasion.

Fabrics like georgette, chiffon, satin and silk, when used to make salwar kameezes results in multipurpose salwar suits which can double up as daily wear as well as outfits for fancy occasions. The latest trend is of using fusion fabrics which are long lasting, wrinkle free and provide even more comfort.

Salwar kameezes have transformed themselves into a variety of styles and designs over the years. The many cuts available are:

Patiala Salwar kameez – the Patiala suit originated in the Patiala region in Punjab. It was the official dress of the king of Patiala. It has a loose salwar with many folds and pleats, paired with a knee length kurta. Nowadays it has become a dress exclusively for women.
Churidar Salwar kameez – the churidar salwar kameez is sleek and is well suited for tall, slim women. The salwar in this type is tight with bangle like folds, or churas, at the ankle. The kameez too is fitted and shows off a slim figure to its best advantage.
Designer Salwar kameez – designer salwar kameezes are the modern innovation of the traditional wear. They have unusual cuts such as strapless kurtas, halter necked kameezes, harem style salwars or slim fit salwars. Normally they have a lot of handworked designs and embroidery done with pearls, stones, beads etc. They are one of a kind designs and are normally very expensive.
Bridal Salwar kameez – bridal salwar kameezes are made of rich heavy fabrics that are glossy and give off a gorgeous sheen that looks good on weddings. Bridal salwar kameezes are normally made of dark colours which radiate a bridal aura. They are embroidered and embellished heavily with crystals, stones, beads and other precious or semi precious stones. The work is usually jaali work and the resultant dress is heavy due to the various adornments.

Apart from these varieties, there are simple cotton salwar kameezes, silk salwar kameezes and printed salwar kameezes and anarkali salwar kameeez too. They are more common and worn as everyday clothes.

Indian Fashion Designers

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:14:59 +0000

India is rightly called “a land of unity in diversities”. This diversities comes in different manners, customs, religions, tradition and even fashion.. India has various range of textile, where each province has its special and unique costumes. Indian fashion is vivacious, cheerful, evergreen having the simplicity and tradition.. In this ever-changing world each individual is constantly striving best to succeed in their own means in different fields fashion lead the league. Behind all these the applaud goes to the designers who bring the costume worldwide in the name of fashion.

India is proud today to be the mother of the most spirited fashion designers like Manish Malhotra, Ritu Beri, Ritu Kumar,Sabyasachi Mukherjee,Neeta Lulla, Satya Paul, Rohit Bal and many more are stepping the industry.

Manish Malhotra is considered to be the most successful designers of India. He is well known for his fusion of colours, style and glamour. His designs are contemporary, yet have the traditional touch, which helped him to win the name in the household and even in film and fashion industry. He is the first person to blend film and fashion into a single thread. He has taken part in many fashion events and has won numerable awards in costume and fashion design. His designed have reflection in many films. His ever first work is being designing the dress of Urmila Matondkar for ‘Rangeela’ which was stunning and bright and was well acclaimed.

Reorganization of Indian fashion came through the hands of Ritu Beri another promising Indian designer. She was the first Indian fashion designer to go global and take Indian fashion into the higher level. Her designs include simplicity, modern yet traditional look. Sometimes vague and unusual designs are her trademark. Ritu Beri has created the uniforms of many Indian companies such as Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Delhi, the Delhi Police force, Indian Competitors to the Atlantic Olympic Games and has created pieces for Indian cinema.

Ritu Kumar is another gift in Indian Fashion industry. Her designs are versatile and the wardrobe comprises of swimwear, eveningwear, and traditional Indian wear, specially the bridal outfit of sari and lehenga., casual wear. She is the perfect combination of style tradition and dignity. Which wholly reflect in her design too. She was the designers of the gowns and dress of the three winning Miss India.

Sabyasachi Mukherjee another talent from traditional root city Kolkata, is the latest buzz. He is the youngest Indian fashion designers to receive awards for best design, collection, fashion and style. Kolkata has been his inspiration in bringing fashion with a different outlook. He believes designing clothes should be just an extension of one’s intellect. He uses unusual fabrics, texturing and detailing, fusion of styles, patch work in a vibrant colour palette, which take back to the ancient and medieval tradition. He entered into films with his costume design in the movie ‘Black’ and bagged the national award in 2005.

Neeta Lulla is another promising Indian Fashion Designer. Her simplicity, royalty, richness, and charisma has helped her to create a mark in this industry. Residing here for almost two decade this talent has each surpassed her own creation and record to set a new high. Her majestic appearance has created a new trend in fashion fraternity. She own , National awards and many other awards for designing great attires.

Satya Paul the buzzing name in the fashion industry strive to express refinement, finess, and elegance for contemporary life. His special collection of bridal outfit and saries blend in different colours has earned a name and place in fashion industry.

Rohit Bal, the fashion designer based in New Delhi , is another vibrant person in fashion industry. He is famous for designing for men and women, bridal and evening collection with day wear and ready to wear collection. He is a masterpiece in creating his own style. His sophisticated designs intricate both traditional and modern world.

Indian designers blend, fuse together the different colours, texture, patches, sequences to form a new style. The fusion of east and west has helped Indian designers to reach a high and even go global. Fashion in India is continuously revolving as new designers come into the fashion industry where new talent gets the space to showcase oneself

How to Drape Indian Sarees

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:35:07 +0000

Indian Sarees are the traditional costume for the Indian Women. Indian saree is worn in a lot of different ways and style by the Indian women. With evolution in time the styles with which Indian saree is draped has changed. Designer Indian saris have taken over the traditional ones and the younger generation loves to experiment with stylish and designer online saris. So, how we should drape indian sarees ?

In the olden days, women wore the traditional Indian saris with blouses that were full sleeve. But today women love experiment with blouse that are stylish. These days’ designer Indian wedding sarees are also a lot popular. One can buy the designer online saris which are designed by the Indian fashion designers.

Wearing an Indian saree the right way is an art. If not worn the right way one can look disastrous. Thus wearing an Indian sari in right way is also very important. Now we will look, how to drape Indian Sarees.

Each region of India has its own distinct style of wearing an Indian saree. The variety of ways and style in which a saree can be draped makes it more appealing attire! Here is a little suggestion on how to drape a designer Indian sarees in the correct way and look more gorgeous. The can be worn using the following steps. These steps are:

1. Wrapping around Body

Start with choosing a designer Indian Saree. Tuck the plain end just below your navel (belly button), into the petticoat and wrap the sari around your waist till the saree takes a complete turn. Adjust the lower end according to the height you want. A little tip- wear your footwear while draping a sari to adjust the correct length.

2. Making Pleats

Make clean 6-10 pleats with the sari in the front. The number of the pleats depends on the length of the pallu or the palla. Hold these pleats together and tuck them into your petticoat neatly to the left of belly button or navel.

3. Making Pallu or Palla

After the pleats are made, put the saree on your shoulder from back to front (Sidhi Palla) or front to back (Ulti Palla). The young ladies love draping the saree as Ulti Palla. But wearing the Indian wedding sarees or Designer Indian Bridal sarees as Sidhi Palla is advisable. The Sidhi Palla shows the designs of the pallu really well. While making the pallu, also make pleats on the shoulder. The pallu has a tendency to fall off often. So in order to prevent it falling off, you should never forget to pin them with your blouse on the shoulder.

These steps are use in wearing Indian Sarees in Nivi Style. These three steps can be very helpful to a woman who is draping a designer Indian Saree first time. Some other different styles are there to wear the Indian saris like the Bengali style, Gujarati style, Maharashtra style, Gond style, etc.

How to Choose a Perfect Wedding Saree

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:06:22 +0000

The day a girl is born her parents start thinking about the day she would be wedded away. The day the girl herself is big enough to understand what wedding is she starts dreaming about how she would walk up the platform wearing a Bridal Saree, where she will be welcomed by the groom. The wedding day is the most important one in everyone’s life. This is the day when your dreams of love and life are about to become a reality. So, if you want to look magnificent, keep the following things in mind when choosing the perfect wedding dress for your special day.

First of all, the fabrics must be chosen as per the season and the weather conditions of the place you are getting married at. The fabrics should be such that do not make you uneasy or uncomfortable, and also give an elegant look to you. Also choose the dress well in advance, so that if it requires any changes as per your choice, then it can be done, beforehand.

On the weddings, normally lehenga or ghagra choli or salwar kameez is widely worn by the ladies. And if not these then the most common wear are the traditional sarees. Other saris are also worn depending on the season. Traditional sarees vary from state to state and also the styles in which they are draped also vary. The south Indian sarees are the one that are too common in the regions they are manufactured in, but they are worn all over the country as they give a rich and an elegant look.

Lehenga or ghagra choli or salwar kameez are easy to be carried and are available in all price ranges. Also, they are available in plenty of fabrics to choose from. So, whichever is comfortable for you and suits your body structure you can choose from that. These are worn by the girls from all age groups. Now-a-days, one can also get the readymade saris that are easy for those who are not so learned in art of draping saris. In order to choose whether lehenga suits you the best or ghagra choli or traditional sarees, try all of them and seek advice of your friend.

If you have decided to wear saree then try the south Indian sarees as they are a bit easy to carry after they are properly draped. The fabrics with which the south Indian sarees are made, is such that it is set as it is and one does not need to take care about arranging it ever now and then.

One of the important things that you need to wear a saree and not with salwar kameez, is the blouse. Most of the times blouse is available with the saree so that it is a perfect match and you do not have to look for the fabrics to match the saree. You can simply go to your tailor and ask her to stitch you a designer blouse, to look the best on the wedding.

Rajasthani Sarees ; the vibrant, colorful sarees of Rajasthan

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:51:44 +0000

The saree that brings into our mind is yards and yards of luxurious material draped in attractive styles to get an admiring comment to the Indian Women. The saree is folded tied and pleated in an attractive and stylish manner that makes the traditional saree an everlasting garments that is worn by the women of different ages. No bridal ceremony is complete without the vibrant silk sarees.

The women’s of Rajasthan dress either in sarees or ghagras cholis. The sarees may be either in cotton or silk and are generally embroidered. To give a prosperous look of the saree coloured stones, silken threads, chumkis and tinsels are used to create beautiful floral patterns and traditional motifs. The embroidery or zari works are done with golden and silver threads according to the economy of the family. The embroidery work in the traditional saree is done with semi precious stones or gems and coloured stones. The Bandni, Tie and die and block printed textiles are the common choice of the people.

In the rural areas the women are still wearing a long and short flowing and frilly skirts. Ghagras are used for daily uses and Lehengas are used for occasions which are matched with blouses or choli. The ghagras and the lehengas are also embroidered and decorated with precious stone and gems as the sarees are.

The odhni is an essential part of the Rajasthani women’s garments which is generally 3 meters to 2 meters a long piece of cloth. It is teamed up with the Ghagra choli or blouse. Odhni is a mark of respect and consistency to ones traditions and the bridal odhni is a piece of exclusive hand embroidered clothes which is precious to every woman as long as she lives. The Muslim women wear burkhas or the traditional odhni as their part of the attire.

The costumes and the dresses of the Rajasthan are a stunning combination of cultural ancestry. The garments are floor length and are covered most of the part of the body which prevents the sun burn. The fabrics are mainly soft cottons that provide the ultimate comfort during the summer time in India. Rajasthani dresses gives the various cultures and styles. Silk or chiffon bandni sarees are found with mirror works or zari or a sequin works. The typical badni or the bandhej sarees are found at Rajasthan and Gujarat. The vibrant colours, the special tie and die designs in various fabrics and the rich embellishment are the material used in bandni sarees.

An outstanding and attractive look is ensured in the bandni sarees. The body of the saree is decorated with beads and kundans in a floral motif. The bandni sarees pallu is decorated with beads, kundans and sequins. The blouse piece which is attached to the pallu of the saree is an unstitched fabric, where the sequins work is done in the sleeves of the blouse and in the back portion.

The bridal silk sarees from the Rajasthan includes detailed embroidery work in vibrant shades and colours. The elaborate zari work in the pallu and borders of the traditional saree set them unique.

Kanjivaram or Kanchipuram Silk Sarees – the Gold Fabric Industry

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:43:59 +0000

France being famous for its wine and Darjeeling iconic for tea, the little town of Kanchipuram is best known for its traditional ‘Kanchi pattu’. The ‘dream weavers’ of this town have been establishing the art since decades. Kanchipuram silk sari happens to be an integral part of every South Indian girl’s wardrobe; although now it’s being treasured all over India. Kanjivaram silk sarees are believed to be the most valuable costume for a girl on the wedding day. The sari beholds a special and graceful position among various other conventional fabrics of India. Though silk saris are made in various Indian towns, the small town of Kanchi is renowned for this fabric.

Kanchipuram silk sarees are woven from pure mulberry silk and this fabric is available in countless and attractive hues. These sarees are woven with three ply, high denier threads using thick zari to complement the warp and weft designs forming unique and intricate motifs in the sari. Following the color combinations, and the complicated designs used a sari normally takes 20 to 30 days for completion. It is from pure silk and again this fabric enjoys an everlasting reputation for its texture, gleam, finishing, and resilience.

Traditionally, these saris were woven in lovely patterns with simple gold lines making peacocks, temples, and dots. The contemporary fashion has breathed a new life into this 500 year old traditional fabric. Now, you get these Kanjivaram silk sarees in new and alluring patterns. To match with the altering trends, this silk has experienced brisk conversion. Magnificent designer silk saris are available unifying the conventional art with embroidery and matching crystal work. Latest trend of Kanchipuram silk sarees comes with the images of gods and goddesses on the pallu. Now, these silk fabrics are available all over the world. The matching hues in bright, simple tones are used in the sari catering to the consumers’ tastes and preferences. Nowadays, the consumers are more alarmed about the cost, weight, and simple yet elaborate designs with pastel shades. Looking into the requirement of modern day women, churidhar sets are also woven with Kanchipuram silk.

More than 60,000 silk looms manufacture Kanchipuram silk sarees, filling the town with the musical ‘tak tak’. The town is having an annual turnover over Rs.200 crores with exports around Rs.3 crores. Export figures are however limited due to the restraint of weaving mostly saris, which has its own monopoly, but is moderately lesser over other outfits. 75% of the population residing in Kanchipuram earns their livelihood by weaving this fabric. The particular zari used in this type of sari is made in Tamil Nadu, but the silver wire required for the weaving part is brought from Surat as the procedure behind its making is detained secretly by some traditional weaving families there, thus making the process time consuming and expensive.

The Kora Cotton Sarees of Coimbatore

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:28:21 +0000

South India is fondly called the Manchester of India, thanks to the superior variety of cotton grown and spun here on handlooms as well as power looms. With time it has become a large hub of cotton apparels like chudidar, salwar, kurta, shirts and sarees. Though South Indian Sarees are mostly famous for their silk touch, cotton sarees are equally in vogue such as the venkatgiri sari from Andhra Pradesh and Kora Cotton sarees from Coimbatore. Though, the Kora Cotton traditional saris are not purely made of cotton. It has a good measure of silk woven into it and that is where lies the aesthetic beauty and the USP of the Kora cotton sarees. The cotton fabric used for this traditional sari is of a quality is superior to that of used to manufacture cotton saris in other parts of India.

Like all other South Indian Saris, its visual appeal lies in its lavish pallu and border designs which are done in bright colours with a hint of shining zari. Various motifs are also used to enhance the visual appeal and on closer look, you will witness the self styled jacquard patterns in the fabric of this saree. These patterns are created by the artistic interplay of silk and cotton thread which are woven together to form the basic fabric for this sari and its blouse. After the fabric woven on the handloom, further design processes are carried out as in designing the border and the pallu. The archetype of border used in the sari is also used in the blouse.

These sarees come in a variety of colours, though the effect of red cotton woven with gold zari remains with indigo touch on the border as well as pallu remains unparalleled. These sarees are on the affordable side with their cost ranging from INR 400 to INR 1200. This is a welcome news given the fact that other South Indian sarees made from silk and brocaded fabrics such as Kanchipuram, Kodali Karrupur etc are very expensive and not within the reach of an average homemaker.

There is a good demand for these traditional sarees in the international market as well thanks to the Indians living abroad. So no wonder the demand for these saris has been hit hard by the global economic meltdown. At the same time, the demand in the domestic market has been hit by the growing popularity of the Kora saris made on power looms which reduce the overall cost of these South Indian Sarees. But what the consumers fail to understand is that the fabric woven on power looms lacks the aesthetic design and appeal which is the main attribute of these saris.

If you are a true saree lover, then you ought to insist on buying true hand loomed kora cotton sarees and blouse. This will not only add to your rich collection of ethical and traditional saris but will also go a large extent in preventing this genre of saris being lost into the annals of history.

Brocade Sarees of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:25:54 +0000

Earlier known as kasi, Varanasi is a place known as one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages. It is said that if a person dies on this land then he/she is freed from the cycle of rebirths. This is one of the most crowded places in India, with hundreds of small streets full of temples and dharamshalas.

The important thing for which it is famous world wide is the Brocades. The Brocades of Varanasi were first woven only in the small city known as Alaipura, but now it is woven all over Varanasi. The brocades of Varanasi, have made a remarkable position in the designer sarees as well. The fabrics that are woven with warps and wefts threads of varied colors, and also of varied materials are called the brocades. The brocades of Varanasiare woven in threads of silk. The other region known for the brocades is the Madanpura, which is popular as the most traditional style and designed, used on the fabric. The fabric is woven in a light and transparent fabric. The best examples that are also widely used in the designer sarees are the jamdani, organza and tissue sarees.

The motifs and the designs that are common and still have succeeded to maintain their position in terms of popularity are the kairi (mango), and the moon shape in the body of the saree. The fabric is woven in such a style in the transparent material that it gives an impression of a double sided pattern. The weavers of Alaipura have easily adopted the new techniques so the work is not so fine. Hence, the brocades of this place are used in the furnishings and sometimes for blouse.

The brocades of Varanasi were woven at homes earlier but now the work is done on large scale in karkhanas(factories). It is construction of several rooms in a row and the workers are provided peace for complete concentration. The same style is adopted by the designers who want particular motifs and pattern for designer or for the blouse. Generally, they buy the fabric from the place and get the desired work on, by the artists. The zari thread that is used in the weaving is known as kalabattun. One single zari thread is made with finely drawn gold, silver and base metal thread, that is wound together rounded like a silk thread.

One of the best brocades of Varanasi that is known all over the world is the Kimkhab. It is woven with mukta, a durable silk thread. It is coarse and thick and heavy, therefore it can hold the gold and the silk threads for weaving easily. It became popular because of the gold used in it and this also led to the higher price of the saree. The designer sarees are far too expensive. A lot of people just buy the fabric and use it for making stylish blouse only. The common motif used in this was the ashrafi. Other patterns were jal, buta and trellis. The designers have succeeded well in en-cashing the popular and expensive brocades of Varanasi.