If there was ever a season to give handlooms a twist, it is now. With the party season fast approaching and if you haven’t already got a dress ready, just reach out for that favourite handloom material and spin your way into looking unique.
From Banarasi silk to kanjeevaram, khadi and kalamkari, the basic rule to getting the look right is: Keep it simple. “I feel that Banarasi weaves have great potential to be tailored into something modern. For instance, a pant suit, a simple skirt or even an A-line dress will be best for a party season,” explains designer Archana Rao.
Since most handlooms, like Banarasi, Venkatagiri and even Narayanpet silk are quite grand, the dress doesn’t need to be created in a very elaborate fashion. “That would be an overkill. When the fabric itself is so bright and rich, it would be better to make something simple out of it. A jacket or even a one-piece dress would make a statement,” adds Archana.
When it comes to choosing a material, keep the weather in mind. “With a city like Hyderabad, where winter isn’t that bad, one can experiment with a lot of skirts and dresses. A short skirt using Banarasi weaves or a bandage dress using khadi will be an amazing addition to your party wardrobe. If you are going for a Christmas ball, a gown with Banarasi weaves will be a hit; just keep the silhouette simple and you’re set to go,” chips in designer Shravan Kumar.
When it comes to khadi, one tends to assume that the colours can be a little dull, but Shravan says, “Oranges and teals in khadi are the in-thing this season. You can use khadi in so many ways. In fact, working with khadi is easy and will yield great results.”
If you’re someone who tends to feel cold easily, you can keep yourself warm in style too. “Ponchos made from ikkat weaves are so stylish! You can just buy some material and get a poncho created. This will go well with a dress or even a simple jeans and top look,” explains stylist Indrakshi Ria Pattanaik.
Most of the top brands are currently using a lot of prints in their shawls and skirts. “If you want to go in for a simpler look, you can opt for one statement piece, like a jacket. I actually will be creating blazers using Banarasi weaves,” says Indrakshi.
“The good old Kanjeevaram saree too makes for simple vintage gowns, dresses, jackets and skirts,” she says, adding, “The fabric is so rich, so limit your use of it. Overdoing it can end up making you look over the top,” she adds.
While one can rarely go wrong with handlooms, designers do believe that you need to tread with caution. “People a little on the plump side should opt for softer fabrics. For instance, it would be a safe option to stay away from organza, the material tends to stand out and act stiff,” explains Indrakshi.
