Fashion
6 Yards Of Style: How To Own The Sari
Photographed by Ishaan Nair. Styling by Nisha Jhangiani. Assisted by Shweta Navandar. Make-up and hair by Brendon De Gee. Models courtesy: Pallavi Das, Elan Modelling Agency and Arshia Ahuja. Location courtesy: Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai
Who could have predicted that a malleable length of fabric would survive centuries’ worth of fashion cycles to create an iconic aura that is as timeless as it is hip. The sari today spells versatility — gliding smoothly from red-carpet glamour to sharp work wear, from resort gowns to lounge togas. In the Indian context, the variety of its drape has popularised sari lungis and dhotis, amongst other ingenious versions that play with pallu and pleat. It can be traditional, contemporary, dressy, sporty, structured, sinuous – fitting any occasion, flattering any figure. The sari rules…
(Click on any image in gallery to see styling notes…)
Pale blue silk toga sari with beaded detail, by Shikha & Vinita, for Ilk; blue button-down shirt-tunic, from Munkee See Munkee Doo. Both in New Delhi. Emerald and kundan ring, from Notandas & Sons; ruby and kundan ring, gold cone ring, both from Jaipur Jewels; silver earring, from Dior. All in Mumbai.
Left: White and red raw silk lungi sari, by Anand Kabra, Hyderabad. Thread work jacket, by Anamika Khanna, Kolkata. Enamel and kundan studs, from Notandas & Sons, Mumbai.
Right: Deep red crepe dhoti sari with zardozi cutwork, by Anand Kabra, Hyderabad. Black pumps with zardozi, by Shantanu Goenka, Kolkata. White silk shirt, by Nachiket Barve; gold coin necklace, triple string gold bead necklace, both from Jaipur Gems. Both in Mumbai.
Left: Black silk long jacket with gota, by Divya Sheth; black silk palazzo style pants, by Anamika Khanna. Both in Kolkata. Ivory Benarasi sari, gold silk blouse, both from Ekaya, New Delhi.
Right: Ivory silk cape with thread work, by Anamika Khanna, Kolkata. Red silk block printed blouse and sari, from AM:PM, New Delhi. Crown of thorns bangles, by Shahid Datawala, at Atosa, Mumbai.
Black beaded and pleated gown, by Gaurav Gupta; black Benarasi sari, by Swati and Sunaina, at Carma. Both in New Delhi. Black lace-up booties, by Christian Louboutin, Mumbai.
Lycra two-tone resort sari, by Malini Ramani; printed bandeau, by Micheal Kors. Both in New Delhi. Gold temple necklace, from Jaipur Jewels; gold filigree bangle, from Notandas & Sons; gold gladiator sandals, by Aprajita Toor. All in Mumbai.
Left: Colourblocked leather bomber jacket, from Fendi, New Delhi. Marsala silk mul embroidered sari, by Payal Singhal; gold rings, from Jaipur Gems; pumps in blue shiny lambskin, from Dior. All in Mumbai.
Right: Indigo tie-dye sari, by Amalraj Sengupta, Kolkata. Silk crepe tie-dye hoodie, from Kallol Datta 1955, at Atosa; gold and kundan studs, pearl and gold bangle, both from Jaipur Jewels. Both in Mumbai.
Left: Black and white block printed skirt-sari (only pallu showing), from AM:PM, New Delhi. Bottle green cotton jacket, from Dior; rose embroidered skirt, by Nachiket Barve; bottle green thread embroidered dupatta with tassels, by Manish Malhotra; navratna necklace, from Jaipur Jewels. All in Mumbai.
Right: Olive silk sari with colourblocked border, black mesh shirt, black silk jacket with brooch, all by Amalraj Sengupta, Kolkata. Gold sequin fishtail skirt, by Sabyasachi; emerald and kundan necklace, from Jaipur Jewels. Both in Mumbai.
Brown silk trousers, by Shruti Sancheti, Nagpur. Red Benarasi sari, by Ritu Kumar, New Delhi. Oxblood velvet kimono blouse, by Neeta Lulla; gold kadas, from Jaipur Gems; buttoned low boot in cognac flowered jacquard fabric, from Dior. All in Mumbai.