Handicrafts, officially defined as an activity that needs skill with the hands as well as artistic ability, precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft or handmade is a topic we’re throwing light on this month. Traditional Indian prints and folk embroidery have a niche market all over the world depicting our plush, proud Indian culture through raw material, finesse, exclusive prints, workmanship and colors. This piece documents five items of clothing that include everything from Kashmiri Pashmina fabrics and bandhani sarees to kolhapuris and phulkari dupattas.
Interesting fact: Bandhani comes with a rich history that dates back to the Indus valley civilization. Bandh meaning ‘bind’ or ‘to tie’ in sanskrit is originally born from Rajasthan and Gujarat— a highly skilled process respected across the globe. So, If you’re looking for a break from embellishments and brocades, you could consider adding an elegant bandhani saree or even a belted saree tunic to your festive closet. Wear them with gold heels and a sequined clutch.
Geroo Jaipur, Rs. 3,000
Indya, Rs.4,500
Woven with a rich Kashmiri digital print, this unstitched Pashmina material by Stylee LIFESTYLE features lush floral designs that also come with a matching chiffon digital printed dupatta. This material gives you the opportunity to stitch the fabric to your personal preference and cut that you can throw on for upcoming weddings and soirees. You could pair it with a pair of kundan tassel earrings and clear heels.
Stylee LIFESTYLE, Rs. 2,588
Native to Kolhapur in Maharashtra, kolhapuris have evolved from being shoes that are not just made for attending a wedding function, but also for dancing at the sangeet and reception (and even your Indian work attire). You could choose between kolhapuris with platform heels that are slightly elevated or go for something more subtle like a rose gold pair featuring floral prints that you can wear with your basic denims and cotton kurta.
Fuchsia by Aashka Mehta, Rs. 3,304
Gossip Shoes, Rs. 3,295
This list would be incomplete without mentioning one of India’s most loved and natural handicrafts, Jute. After cotton, this fabric is considered the cheapest and most relevant of all textile fibers. If you carefully choose the right jute item, you could pair it with almost anything. It’s that versatile. You could pick from a pair of jute block heels and hoop earrings to a textured clutch bag and even a sophisticated crossbody that you could throw on for a quick grocery errand.
Sole House, Rs. 2,628
Blueberry, Rs.480
Diwaah, Rs. 1,005
ESBEDA, Rs. 1,173
Originally from Punjab, phulkari designs most often cover floral work, motifs, geometrical patterns and more. If you haven’t owned a phulkari piece till now, this turquoise color-blocked dupatta would be a great place to start. You could throw this colorful item over your solid kurta sets or even your casuals when the air conditioning gets overbearing at work. Try this beige phulkari dupatta if you prefer something more subtle.
SWI STYLISH, Rs. 1,000
