Timeless Brocade

Oh Brocade, beautiful, rich Benarasi brocade, how much do you lure our eyes!

With Prabal Gurung  enticing dress with Benaras brocade being featured in last month’s Vogue and with an entire array of brocade sarees, blouses and dupattas thronging the Indian wedding market this fall, we cannot but rant about how the beautiful (and maybe slightly under-rated) brocade has the ability to change the entire look of a garment.

Prabal Gurung for Benarasi Brocade , Vogue India

Benarasi brocade, which is currently a GI (Geographical Indication, an form of Intellectual property) acquired by the Uttar Pradesh Weaver’s association, is made over a handloom in the districts of Varanasi, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Bhadohi, Jaaunour and Azamgarh (all in UP. No other place can legally sell Benarasi saree and brocade made outside of these districts). Many of might already know that brocade is the name given to the textile which can be made over Silk, organza, zari, Silk, Georgette etc.

Typically found over sarees, the brocade is now one of the fancy new words for ‘ethnic chic’. Sheer dupattas with brocade borders, quilted jackets with brocade work, anarkalis with brocade borders, georgette sarees with brocade blouses etc. ; it instantly adds a royal resplendence to the outfit with its surface glaze and bright colours and motifs. It is by far, the most versatile of Indian handloom works as we see it today.

Designers like Sabyasachi, Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla have worked with many brocade style and have dressed many celebs in them.

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla

Sabyasachi

Queen of Ethnic: Vidya Balan

Courtesy: www.zeenatstyle.com

Courtesy: www.zeenatstyle.com

Courtesy: www.zeenatstyle.com

Maxi-out your look!

We believe in maxi skirt so much that we had to write this for the readers, for many believe that maxi is 'not-for-me'. Maxi skirts, if played well, can be totally turn to one's advantage or even style. You don't really need resort to a boho-chic or street-style you know,in order to flaunt a maxi or even worse, put up a sloppy look. Short or pear-shaped, maxi, true to its name, has a LOT of space for all you kinds out there!

Courtesy: www.chicotopia.com

1) For simple,sophisticated look and clean lines, go black and white in a body hugging maxi, that accentuates your perfect waist and booty ;) The cropped turtle-necked top adds a hint of bold,as heels add height.

Courtesy: halliedaily.com

2) Girly,fun as well cosy look for the winter, with the pleated maxi and cropped sweater. Comfy but hot nonetheless.

Courtesy: myshowroomblog.com

3)Our favourite look is the cropped jacket with a maxi skirt/dress. Its edgy on edgy. But if you're not looking to be noticed,ignore point 3. Although, we would still recommend to keep accessories on a minimal for this look.

Courtesy: stolenfromgrandma.blogspot.com

4)Be the demure,geeky lady with this look which works for office too(even if you do not use type-writers anymore). Flat shoes, pigtails and a perfect collared blouse and you'll be making heads turn without going all out.

Courtesy: thepresidentwearsprada.com

5) This works very well for a pear-shaped women. You get to flaunt your curves, bare your  décolletage and take the show off your wide-ish hips. Add some jewelry and you're good to go for a party,too!

Courtesy: joujouvilleroy.com

6) Très chic is what comes to mind. Boots, belt, cropped sweater, fur coat and a blanket of beautiful hair. Couldn't get better!

Courtesy: mochasoywhippy.com

7) The best of mix-n-match. Accentuates the waist while it gives the outfit,a form. Beret and the bandana around the wrist takes the outfit a notch above.

We Indians have had a fair share of the maxi skirt despite the seasons, across states and cultures. Looking at few typically ethnic ensembles, we have designers like Sabyasachi, Ritu Kumar and Kavita Bhartia showing us a taste of east in our maxi skirts. Here are few looks:

Ritu Kumar: Embellished top with cotton skirt worn with band and chunky jewelry

Sabyasachi Mukherjee: Block printed maxi with exquisite corset top and over the top accessories

Sabyasachi: silver maxi with over-jacket , belt and sling-back for  street-ethnic look.

Kavita Bhartia: Puff-sleeved cotton top with patch-work ethnic skirt  and bead jewelry for  the hippie chic

Sabyasachi: Fusion-wear at it best, mix of cultures and religions

Ritu Kumar: Casual, colourful with halter top and A-line skirt

Indian retailers stocking up ethnic maxis:

Fabindia

Anokhi

Globus

Shopper's Stop

Global Desi