The Age of the Sari!

Janice Goveas D’souza explores the evolution of the sari into the new age, for the modern Indian woman of today.

- Janice Goveas D’souza

The ubiquitous Indian drape proves time and again, that tradition can never go out of fashion. There is a beauty to traditional saris, a beauty that is timeless. Modern stores and high fashion designers have been incorporating traditional weaves for the modern woman in all their offerings. Using traditional motifs and designs, they make the modern woman hoard saris—even if they are priced a notch higher than what their mothers used to buy.

TRADITION MARRIES THE CONTEMPORARY

Fashion and design entrepreneurs in India have been keenly watching traditional Indian weaves and the impact they have when internationally acclaimed Indian designers showcase them on a global scale. This has translated into entrepreneurs supplying traditional weavers with cutting edge designs—thus, attracting more modern and fashion conscious buyers who have a fetish for traditional weaves.

“The six yards of colour, grace and beauty are, i think, now enjoying their share of qualified commentary. It is not just a dress or an attire and not necessarily a single label or a brand,” says Madhavi who retails saris from her dad’s traditional sari shop and runs a design shop called Kaarukriti. “The sari tells the story of a weaver, of the yarn maker, the designer, the region, the climate appropriateness and a unique style that defines each lady differently. Saris never left the Indian ethos. They can never go away or stage comebacks. It is just that we are learning to look beyond the wardrobes and the grandmother trunks, and are fast realising that saris are capable of defining us and not entrapping us in their scale. Saris are a thing of beauty, just like the ones who wear them.”