Top 5 Indian Embroidery Styles - Enriching The Borders of The Fashion Industry
Top 5 Indian Embroidery Styles - Enriching The Borders of The Fashion Industry
An outfit is only as good as the person that pulls it off but an outfit that leaves your jaw hanging is one that wins the prize any day. Today, only the best clothes can stand out, and embroidery is a sartorial aspect that has played a major role in doing so always. Considered to be a sign of regality and ethnic authenticity, embroidery was widely coveted by the nobles of a land. As the Industrial Revolution swept in, it became a rarer sight to see hand-embroidered clothes, but that does not stand true now.
Today, the fashion industry holds embroidery in high regards, not just for the extreme detailing it provides but also the opulence that embroidery can bring to a simple looking textile. While there are many styles and backgrounds to this art, a few stand at the peak of textile art.
Zardozi
One of the richest forms of embroidery, zardozi is basically derived from the words zari meaning golden thread and dozi that means embroidery. As the name suggests, all of the embroidery is done with tinsel i.e. fine metal threads.
The reason for its fame lies in the sheer cost of the materials used to create the tinsel. The more sought-after zardozi works are made out of pure gold and silver and woven so fine that it seems like the textile has a radiance of its own.
Chikankari
One of India’s most famous embroidery styles, the word chikankari literally translates to embroidery. Chikankari artisans have a rich tradition in weaving that is deeply rooted in their ancestral history.
Traditionally, the embroidery makes use of white threads woven over white textile, but modern-day designs have brought a lot more to the table. The same white thread is woven over brightly coloured textiles to highlight the embroidery, providing a visual richness that can be rarely matched.
Jaali
Simply meaning net, jaali embroidery is a subset of chikankari. Its distinct, lattice-like attribute sets it apart, making it a common part of other styles of embroidery.
It is said that during the Mughal dynasty, when Noor Jahan, the consort of Emperor Jehangir, came across Turkish architecture that used a lot of criss-cross and netted designs in their palaces, she fell in love with them. She demanded that her royal artisans introduce this into her outfits.
Considering the increasing demand of this detailed embroidery and the reducing number of practicing artisans, chikankari pieces are widely sought after throughout the world.
Shisha
Shiny things catch the eye. Shisha (mirrorwork) has been accepted into the folds of embroidery since as far back as the 13th century by following this very principle.
Shisha embroidery is a common sight in both men and women’s ethnic fashion. It makes use of tiny glass pieces or mica to create a twinkly yet royal look. Mirrorwork has deeply established itself in Indian fashion and can be traced to various regions in the country throughout the centuries.
Kasab
A style of embroidery that is woven with zari threads but adds further depth to it, giving it a unique touch.
While zari work makes use of golden or silver tinsel, kasab embroidery takes things up a notch by wrapping this tinsel around a thread. This thread is woven as embroidery into the textile to create a thicker and better defined edge to the embroidery.
Due to the absolute richness and increase in materials used, kasab embroidery is considered to be one of the rarest and most expensive artisanal styles.
Indian embroidery has been coveted and renowned across the world throughout the ages, and rightly so. Its high level of craftsmanship and fine detailing, coupled with the vast variety in materials used and textures created, makes it a winning choice in bridal wear to give it a rich and ethereal look. Choose a handmade garment that boasts of rich Indian embroidery for your big day, and you can be sure that all heads will stay riveted on you.
Pawan & Pranav creates every garment with keen attention to detailing. Whether it is to get the right measurement to the millimeter or using the finest quality textile in the outfits, our artisans are equipped with the knowledge and skill to come up with results that fulfill your fashion desires endlessly.
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