The Sari Series, Inspiration For Textile Fans And Scarf Wearers Everywhere.

Sometimes the stars align in a quietly satisfying way and things fall so neatly into place that you do wonder if there IS an actual big plan.

Middleson has (at last, he is 25 after all) left home, he has moved…to New Delhi. Yep, no wrench there then. He’s there for a couple of years and I am beyond excited about discovering India. I so loved the V&A’s The Fabric of India exhibition last year and of course we see great Indian street style each year from India Amazon Fashion Week from Ishtailista. Middleson has conveniently rented a three bedroom flat (imaging doing that in London!) to accommodate his already-booking-flights family, So I’ve been thinking about researching textiles, fashion and fragrance trends from India to ensure I’m ahead of the game when I get there.

Then on Monday I received a press release for The Sari Series, a wonderful digital anthology of how to drape over 80 different regionally important sari styles. Result! Shot beautifully and demonstrating a jaw dropping variety of knots, pleats, wraps and folds, the project explains how to drape and wear each style of sari, with how much fabric you will need and exact how-to instructions as well as the video. Anyone with five metre lengths of fabric sitting around in piles might want to take note.

The project also reflects on the evolution of the sari and highlights concerns that the sari is slipping from favour as an item of everyday wear. Throughout history the sari has always adapted and changed to reflect the practical and cultural needs of the wearer, it’s the perfect versatile garment, but modern life is seeing it worn less often and the artful, individual drape styles of each sari-wearing region are being lost.

The Sari Series has been organised by Border&Fall, a digital publishing agency that promotes Indian craft and fashion communities and I hope they are jolly proud of this thoughtful and enlightening project. Fashion designers and wearers of interesting clothes should take a look at the How To Drape films and discover the extraordinarily beautiful things you can achieve with the right length of fabric. My favourites include No 6 the Gudakattu drape No 28 the Gamthi drape, No 52 the Maar Kachha Drape, No74 the Madisaru drape and No77, the Lapetawali drape.

So that’s saris sorted for research purposes. And the Border&Fall website is a fantastic place to start my investigations into Indian crafts and textiles. Anyone else have any interesting ideas of what to see and where to go in Delhi? Our first trip in late November.

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8 Comments

  • Sue Evans says:

    Amazing news Amanda — what’s he up to in India ? I am off there in 2 weeks (my birthday present to myself for reaching 70 !) and am beyond excited. Lucky you having a readymade Indian residence !

  • Sue! What a coincidence! Where are you going to? Middleson is working for a global construction company, he’s allowing us to stay in his sumptuous flat as long as I help him construct a roof garden (he as a roof terrace! Imagine!) I am beyond excited and am a teeny bit worried I might not want to come back. And Happy 70th! x

  • Ellen says:

    I am so excited by this post and I haven’t even followed the links yet! I love Indian textiles and go to the Indian neighborhoods here in NYC to get kurta tops for the summer – along with amazing foods!
    I do find it harder to get the tops in the usual places, so I don’t know if this is indicative of a change in the Indian dress habits.
    I look forward to seeing and reading about your experience when you go.

  • Mary says:

    Thank you for the link to the amazing Sari project. Love the skill and imagination that goes into the creative and beautiful clothing style.

  • Sue Evans says:

    I am in Delhi for a day or so and then travelling to Varenassi, Agra, Mandewar and Jaipur. I am a bit worried about being able to take advantage of enough shopping opportunities versus visiting temples and forts ! You will have the wonderful facility of having a second home there ! Amazing ! Buy a book called 111 Things To Do In New Delhi — it has some interesting places off the beaten track — one an amazing looking old perfumery and another a Sari School ! Keep me posted how you go and of any fabulous ethnic clothing emporiums I should visit / shop online xx

  • Sue, will do! I have been to Jaipur (Jaipur Jottings!) and can recommend Manushi crafts and jewellery, Shop 12 NAC market, Manali, and Tholi’s Kuber MirzaIsmail Road for well priced posh jewellery. Have bought
    the book, thanks! xx

  • SO adorable!! the way you show the creative design of wearing saree is really mind-blowing. Well explain the traditional culture.

  • BRILLIANT says:

    This is a good blog. There are quite a few tips in this article that I’ll be using.

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