Saris for every occasion

Intricate weaves

The new ‘Abraham & Thakore for Ekaya’ collection of exclusive new designs for saris in the finest Benarasi weaves was recently showcased by designer Rakesh Thakore at the Vittal Mallya Road store.

Striking a stunning balance between modern aesthetics and traditional techniques, the range of saris in bright and subdued colours were a big hit.

“This is an extension of our Autumn-Winter 2013-14 ramp show as a collaboration with Ekaya, which did all the fabrics for the show. Each sari has a different story. For instance, we’ve taken calligraphy as the motif in some of them. Another recurrent theme is the warp and the weft – the warp is the horizontal stripe and the weft is the vertical stripe, forming the check format. The entire collection has to do with the complexities of the weaving techniques because Varanasi is known for its silk brocades,” explains Rakesh.

Asked whether the saris require to be accessorised, he adds, “Most of them are so striking and make such a statement that you don’t really need to add anything. In the ones that have less play of gold, jewellery can be worn to enhance it. But what I see as the strength of this collection is the lightness of the saris and how we’ve broken a five-and-a-half meter sari into two or three parts, each with its own unique pattern. Every sari has a blouse, which can be styled traditionally or in a contemporary way.”

The saris come in the price range of Rs 25,000 and Rs 38,000. For the younger lot, the bright oranges, pinks and shocking blues are appealing while older customers can opt for more neutral tones. 

The muse for the day was Aviva Bidapa, daughter of City-based designer Prasad Bidapa. Draping different saris over the course of the evening, she looked glamourous in the bright hues. “Every time I’ve worn a sari in my life, I’ve felt old. But this makes me feel young with its vibrant colours, which is perfect for my age group.

I wouldn’t have been caught dead wearing the colour combination of orange and pink but it just falls into place in these saris. What I also like is the traditional touch to them because the only thing modern is the colour. The saris are surprisingly not bulky and the material just makes it flow beautifully,” she shares.

The collection has its roots in textile research and revival and the designer duo’s interpretation did not fail to impress visitors. “I was looking for something traditional because I don’t like abstract patterns.

Even though there are modern elements to this, the motifs and colours are gorgeous. I’m really glad that Benarasi saris are being revived. Even though I’m a South Indian, I enjoy wearing the North Indian saris quite often, of which Benarasi weaves are my favourite,” says Anupama Gupta, a customer.