Pre-pleated saris at the Madras Ironing Company | Photo Credit: SRINATH M It takes my mother less than 10 minutes to drape a sari to perfection, be it crisp cottons, flowing silks, or pristine pattus. I, on the other hand, have never succeeded in the endeavour, even after watching YouTube tutorials for hours on end. … Read more
At Aksh weaves and crafts’ small studio in Adyar, there is pin-drop silence except for the faint whirring of a fan. On a table in the centre of the room, an artist is bent over a piece of cloth, drawing with full concentration. When I move closer for a better view, I see a panel … Read more
(Clockwise from top left) Air India’s air hostesses; sari-clad scientists; air hostesses welcoming guests; a 1950s ad for a ‘modern’ girl; and designer Manish Malhotra with Katrina Kaif. | Photo Credit: Getty Images and Special Arrangement No more saris? Air India may bring in new look for flight crew” was the headline. The article continued, … Read more
Tanya Biswas (left) with sister Sujata | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement When sisters Sujata and Tanya Biswas decided to kickstart an apparel brand, they launched with a collection of simple mulmul sarees that featured vibrant tassels. “They were basic, no-fuss weaves with no embellishments that weren’t available in the market then. The fabric was unstarched, … Read more
An Uppada weave from Madhurya Creations | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement We have heard of sari revival projects that encourage weavers to get back to looms, individuals to restore or repurpose their heirloom weaves, and even get mainstream brands to collaborate or tie up with weaver clusters. At Bengaluru-based Madhurya Creations, Andhra Pradesh’s famed Uppada … Read more
Recently, while attending an event in Mallorca, Spain, I spotted a foreigner wearing a tulsi bead necklace. When I commented on how ‘Indian’ it looks, he immediately apologised to me and said that he didn’t mean to appropriate it. I told him, “Absolutely not. It’s just a bead. It’s not made exclusively for Indians, and … Read more
Vinay Narkar with weaver Ambubai Dhotre. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT For sari revivalist Vinay Narkar, the six-yard and nine-yard unstitched drapes are not merely a piece of cloth but a repository of India’s tradition of native weaves and patterns that showcase the unmatched skills and creativity of the subcontinent’s weaving communities. The threads of … Read more
The Rewrap Company What started out as a thrift store for saris in 2021, has grown to include upcycling weaves into home accessories and table linen such as table cloths, placemats, table runners, coasters, cushion covers, and more. “We have also designed wine bags, Christmas ornaments and buntings,” says co-founder Deepa Balaji of the initiative … Read more
The gold lame hooded dress in Yves Saint Laurent’s AW/1991 collection was suggestive of sari drapery, while gold encrusted embroidery completed the French designer’s dream of India; (centre) the draped shirt dress by Gianfranco Ferré for SS/2002 reflects his interpretation of the sari, in the spiralling construction, and the many years he spent working and travelling in India … Read more
From the 15th anniversary special show | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement “How could making a sari with steel have ever been a business decision?” This is the loudest I have heard Rimzim Dadu, 36, a decidedly quiet and introverted designer exclaim. It is a reaction to my rather pointed question: Was the metallic sari (inarguably, … Read more