The Kettle Sari
KOLKATA KETTLE
Kolkata Kettle
Kolkata Kettle, a global exhibition organized by the Rotary Club of Calcutta Midtown, celebrates design, fashion, and crafts. The event promotes fashion for development and invites startups, artisans, and designers to showcase their talents through workshops. The Gallery of Craft Couture encourages designers to blend creativity with West Bengal’s heritage.
The exhibition is a hub for diverse talents, fostering connections between ideas, designs, and people. It also provides vocational training for employment opportunities. Esteemed figures from the global fashion industry, like Bibi Russel and Nayanika Chatterjee, actively participate, contributing to the event’s impact.
Kolkata Kettle, focusing on uplifting creativity and culture, aims to reach a diverse cross-section of society in Kolkata.
“It should be white”, someone said. “Yes Ma always wears white”, another remarked. We all nodded in unison. It has to be pure and sustainable as that is the theme. It was decided and she immediately embarked on an uplifting journey of creating saris for 12 goddess idols.
She started at devotion shops to find the right trims and discovered so many ways we revere Her. The enthrall of this hunt put her in the space of an overwhelmed design student in a whole new arena of possibilities. The journey completed as the swarthy whites and bright trims glowed on the Goddess as she stood back watching Ma with pride as she adorned her humble offering of love.
Kolkata Kettle
Kolkata Kettle is a synergistic exhibition for design and innovation in fashion, art, and crafts from all over the world.
Kolkata Kettle is an exhibition to promote fashion for development by the Rotary Club of Calcutta Midtown. It also conducts workshops to teach you important aspects of design. It invites different startups, artisans, and designers to share a platform to showcase their talents and products. In addition to all of these, there’s the Gallery of Craft Couture in which enthusiastic designers are invited to blend creativity with rich heritage and present a garment design that celebrates a craft of West Bengal along with their unique talent.
In Kolkata Kettle, exhibitors from different backgrounds came together and displayed their beautiful talents. It was amazing to see how one event can eventually connect ideas, designs and people. Kolkata Kettle also provides vocational training to men and women for gaining employment opportunities and earning a respectable livelihood. Honourable people form the Indian and Global fashion industry also participated in this event. Kolkata kettle saw Bibi Russel and Nayanika Chatterjee engaging in the event purely for the love of craft and they left behind a deep impact with their deliberations. This exhibition’s primary focus is to uplift creativity and culture to reach a diverse cross-section of society.
https://www.kolkatakettle.com/page/kolkata-kettle
LBD or GBS
Rashmi Choudhary wearing the black Vishaka sari
Black rules!
Black is magic, gorgeous and glamourous!
Colour always defines your style and as colourists worldwide claim that black is not just a single a color but all colors put together. The outcome being surreal. As shown in the image, we are focusing on the lovely SKA black Vishaka that rule our hearts.
To begin with, even to wear black is a statement of the aware and openhearted. Black sarees have their own charisma and charm. Black sarees add elegance and glamour to your look. They say everybody has one colour that brings out their best personality, but with black one can never go wrong. The colour black is are versatile, beautiful and can easily becomes everyone’s ‘go-to’ pick.
The black sari for an Indian woman is the quintessential LBD. The Little Black Dress that grew up into this, flowy, worldly, extremely charming garment that is the GBS or the Gorgeous Black Sari!
Rashmi the founder of Sari Ki Almari jazzes up her Vishaka sari with an antique silver neck piece
The tech behind the sari–
The black Vishaka saree is a SKA favorite and definitely deserves a whole segment on it. Designing a sari require a great deal of time and passion. For the sari to become an iconic piece, you need the long hours of efforts and determination. The black Vishakha saree is one such design.
A sari is a garment that is known and loved for its elegance and we at SKA are proud to have developed this soft fabric in the cotton family. A hint of silk is added to the canvas of heady handloom for it to flow and glide effortlessly.
We have a host of colors in this style and each one is as breathtaking as the other. A versatile sari as this one will bode one well in a plethora of events and occasions and will quickly become that go to sari in everyones beautiful wardrobe.
Legendary Bengali Film Actress Ms Munmun Sen with our Black Vishaka sari
Chashma Saree
“My saree, my pride”. This is what Rashmi Chowdhary, the founder of Saree Ki Almari, says about sarees. We believe all women would say the same about this elegant piece of clothing.
A Kolkata based brand, Sari Ki Almari, brings pure handloom sarees sourced from weavers who use materials that are sustainable and in no way do they contribute to the detriment of the environment. The collection of SKA is unique and shows how Rashmi Chowdhury portrays her passion and love for sarees through this collection. Through the collection of SKA, she also tries to inculcate the value and meaning she so proudly carries with herself whilst she was creating this brand label. Rashmi has mentioned in her story how she and her team’s preference for handwoven sarees have pushed them to bring the handwoven sarees made by weavers to everyone in and around India.
Saree Ki Almari is holding an ongoing exhibition at Cima Gallery from the 6th of September continuing until the 12th of October 2021.
One of the designs shown in the saree collection of the exhibition is “Chashma Sari”.
The intricate design work of this particular piece is delicately woven onto the body of the sari and other garments. This gives it a blend of tradition, culture, and ethnicity in layers of trend and fashion. The designers are using multi-coloured cotton threads while executing this artwork.
As mentioned earlier, one of the sarees shown in the exhibition is a Yellow chashma Saree. As the name suggests, ‘chashma’ sari has an edgy chashma buti giving the saree a traditional yet trendy vibe.
The founder herself can be seen wearing this saree, which has been designed by her to fit multiple occasions.
Saree Ki Almari is evolving with the concept of rejuvenating the Saree-trend once again. This saree is just one example of how every design is unique and cannot be recounted. So, if you are looking for something exclusive, Saree ki Almari is the best place to go in that case. Come on ladies hurry up, do not miss this excellent opportunity of shopping.
Sari Ki Almari in Cima Art Gallery
Sari Ki Almari is a Kolkata-based brand that began in 2017 to help curate sarees from around India, giving women a sense of grace, elegance, and femininity.
The sarees are pure handloom and are curated with love and passion by its founder Rashmi Chowdhary. They are sourced from weavers from their popular designs to keep their looms running, and the materials they use are sustainable. The collection is breathtaking and affordable and promotes the handwoven sarees made by the weavers in and around India.
Saree Ki Almari is holding an ongoing exhibition at Cima Art Gallery from the 5th of September to the 1st of October.
Chanderi Sarees:
Chanderi sarees are a renowned type of silk with a lightweight, pure and sheer texture giving a delicate lavish feel. Although Chanderi sarees are the specialty of Madhya Pradesh, it has always been a desirable saree all over the nation. These sarees have a distinctive, luxurious look and can be worn on any special occasion.
In Kolkata, there are various hubs to collect Chanderi sarees of different favorite colors and designs. The traditional Indian fabric of Chanderi, known for its lightweight and gorgeous drape, comes in three forms: pure silk, silk cotton, and Chanderi cotton. The manufacturing of Chanderi fabric takes place with the weaving of silk and zari. It is mainly done in old-fashioned cotton yarns, and the end product is a beautiful textured fabric. There has been a significant transformation in the motif designs of Chanderi over the years.
The motifs or buttis seen on Chanderi fabrics are handwoven. Artisans use separate needles for creating different motifs on a handloom. Some of the beautiful, striking motifs on Chanderi sarees include ‘Nalferma’, ‘Chatai’, ‘Dandidar’, ‘Jangla’, ‘Ashrafi’, ‘Bundi’, ‘Churi’ and ‘Keri’. Only Chanderi fabric has this exclusive quality and this makes it even more desirable among local and international buyers. The popular borders on Chanderi garments include the nakshi and add a frame. These have designs with very intricate details.
Even though Chanderi sarees have mostly been known for their light pastel hues, modern times have called for brighter combinations of other colors like navy blue, white, red, and black. Today, both the older and younger generation are seen adorning their beautiful heritage.
Sari Ki Almari is presenting its own fine collection of elegant chanderi sarees in the Cima Art Gallery, which not only give a luxurious feel but are also available at reasonable prices.
“My saree, my pride”. Rashmi Chowdhary says about sarees, and we believe all Indian women would say the same about this elegant piece of clothing.
Sari Ki Almari in the Cima Art Gallery
Sari ki Almari is one of the most renowned and leading platforms for buying sarees. The collection is not just fantastic but also codes a narration of sagas. Rashmi Chowdhary, the founder of the Sari ki Almari, in one of her interviews, spoke about her passion and intention behind forming this gigantic firm. She confesses her preference for handwoven sarees and how she, along with her team, would promote the handwoven sarees made by weavers in and around India. The collection is breathtaking and absolutely affordable for all.
The brand specialises in Banarasi and Chanderi sarees. A beautiful collection of Bengal cotton and Linens are also dominant in the market. One of the most significant benefits is that you do not have to worry about your blouse. The expert will suggest the best design and stitch the blouse of the saree. A category of tissue saree is prevalent and attracts ladies who prefer a soft, classy appearance. Moreover, metallic sarees are also available for cocktails or corporate parties. There are more to check out from the stock for which you can visit their official page or probe in the online stores. You can also visit their shop in Elgin Road, Kolkata, to experience the best.
Cima Gallery
The Saree ki Almari team is delighted to announce their exhibition at the Cima Gallery, continuing until the 12th of October 2021. You will get to witness the exclusive designs of sarees with budget-friendly prices. The pride moment for the team was the visit of the respected MP, Moon moon Sen Ma’am in the exhibition. Many other prominent faces have also attended the exhibition and have shared their reviews with the team. They were pleased to be a part of the show and further recommended more visitors to visit.
Although the Saree ki Almari expertise in Banarasi and Chanderi sarees. These sarees are famous for their traditional feel. However, on the other hand, if you are looking for party wear or something into a fusion style, Saree ki Almari is your one-stop solution. The incredible collection of georgette and metallic saree leaves the clients drooling over the look of the saree. As all the sarees are handwoven by the weavers, every design is unique and cannot be recounted. So, if you are looking for something exclusive, visit Saree ki Almari to get the best available comfortable saree collection.
Rashmi Chowdhary uses a catchphrase, “My saree, my pride.” These words are not just catchy but also reflects her motive of promoting handloom art by accentuating handwoven sarees made by the weavers. This will not just rewind the trend but also help the weavers to earn. Her noble work will help in reforming the socio-economic scenario of the nation. Indeed, a woman like her is the pride of Bengal. To learn more about the latest collection, visit the social media (Facebook) page of Sari ki Almari and don’t forget to share your reviews.
The Charm of Chanderi
A famous range of Bhundelkhandi fashion has been depicted through the piece of saree named chanderi. In the 11th Century, the zari cladded piece of long saree was used mostly by the royalty . Chanderi, a small town in Madhya Pradesh, is among the most popular handloom locations in India. The history of Chanderi dates back to the eleventh century. At that time, the town was a major route for trading because of its proximity to the old ports of the Deccan and Central India (particularly Malwa).
Its ancient weaving expertise that produces intricately textured cotton and silk fabrics embellished with rich zardozi work.
The Chanderi Fabric
Chanderi is a hamlet of looms and a majority of them are located in an area called ‘Bahar Shahar’. Here, the streets are lined with noisy looms with each artisan claiming ownership of at least 2 to 4 looms (there are over 3500 looms in the township!). Raw materials are collected by the artisans from major traders in India and abroad (Japan, Korea and China) in order to produce rich Chanderi fabrics.
The traditional Indian fabric of Chanderi is known for its sheer texture, its light weight and luxurious drape. There are mainly three types of fabrics produced by the Chanderi: pure silk, silk cotton and chanderi cotton. There has been a significant transformation in the motif designs of Chanderi over the years. Today, in addition to florals, peacocks and ancient coin patterns, Chanderi is also seen in modern geometric designs.
The manufacturing of Chanderi fabric takes place with the weaving in of silk and zari. It is mostly done in old-fashioned cotton yarns and the end product is a glorious and shimmering textured fabric!
The Famous Chanderi Silk Saree
Chanderi silk is undoubtedly a brand in the local garment industry. The ancient Sanskrit literature, including the 1200 B.C Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, provide interesting references to the famous Chanderi silk saree.
The Scindian royal family patronized Chanderi sarees in 1910 and during this period, we saw the appearance of the golden thread motif. However, the love for this fabric was greatly intensified in the Mughal era. The queens in the country were often seen flaunting Chanderi silk garments in courts and on special occasions.
It was in the 1930s that Chanderi weavers got their hands on Japanese silk and started substituting it in cotton saree warps. They also managed to develop a special silk-by-silk variant since it earned them higher profits.
The Chanderi fabric has certain key features that lend it its distinctive feel and appearance:
• The motifs or buttis seen on Chanderi silk (and other Chanderi fabrics) are hand woven. Artisans use separate needles for creating different motifs on handloom. Some of the beautiful striking motifs on Chanderi fabric include ‘Nalferma’, ‘Chatai’, ‘Dandidar’, ‘Jangla’, ‘Ashrafi’, ‘Bundi’, ‘Churi’ and ‘Keri’.
• The characteristic translucency in the Chanderi fabric is due to a special feature of the yarn called ‘Single Falture’. When the raw yarn glue is not removed from the yarn, the non-degumming gives a certain amount of translucency and shine to the final fabric. Only Chanderi fabric has this exclusive quality and this makes it even more desirable among local and international buyers.
• Raw silk i.e., 20-22 deniers in thickness, is utilized in all saree warps today. Silk thread lends strength to the yarn and is a lot easier to weave with. It also offers a beautiful finish to the final fabric.
Contemporary Chanderi Silk Fashion
Chanderi silk sarees have always been popular for their light pastel hues. But modern times have called for brighter combinations of turquoise, fuchsia, navy blue, white, red and black. The popular borders on Chanderi garments include the nakshi and adda border. These have very intricate designs. You can also find the simple zaripatela and piping borders. In the piping border, a single colour is alternated with fine strips of a different colour.
Today, both the older and younger generation are seen adorning their beautiful heritage and not just as saree drapes, but also as tunics, kurtas, scarves and bottom-wear. Chanderi silk is a highly versatile fabric and can be easily adapted to create new and trendy styles for fashion enthusiasts across the globe.
You may get an original Chanderihandspun saree for approximately 5000 INR (starting price). Chanderi kurtas,suits and dupattas are also gaining immense popularity among modern fashionistas and their pricing typically starts from somewhere around 1500 INR.
Your wardrobe is incomplete without a classy Chanderi silk garment.
Types Of Blouses
A style statement is purely generated by oneself. You can customize your dresses according to your personal choice to get a unique and diverse look. This will also help you become a fashion icon for others. When we talk about ethnic style, it is not just one stream. You can certainly explore more through it and be creative about the ethnic look you want.
Blouses play a very important role in styling while draping a saree. There are a variety of blouses available in the marketplace from which one can choose the best to define their style statement. Here are a few of such options:
Tissue blouses are often of zari detailing and are very attractive and pretty to look at. An ordinary blouse, made of tissue fabric is suitable for any situation and can become a style statement. In order to make the blouse look more attractive one can simply choose and opt for bold work patterns. Tissue complements every silk saree. Whether it is a plain zari border saree or a heavy worked zardosi silk saree, it always takes the result a on another level.
This pricier range of these blouses are comparatively higher. Heavy embroidery detailing on the blouses makes the design louder and helps it stand out amongst other blouses.
Blouses of various designs is the most demanding choice during celebrations and party seasons to complement any kind of silk sarees. A high neck blouse with a close collar and full sleeves or sleeveless goes hand in hand with different designer silk sarees. Some of the neck designs that are suitable for any kind of silk sarees are high neck, boat neck, collar neck, broad neck and halter neck.
One can also customise their style by wearing a short Kurti with designed bell sleeves and a collar neck to compliment the silk saree. Generally, this style goes best with any kind of plain silk saree. Use small or light, junk jewellery to finish off your style and also a small bindi that completes your ethnic look.
There are plenty of other varieties but the above-mentioned types are the best pick for your silk saree. Brocade and embroidered both are the convenient and conventional option which ladies love to put on with their silk beauty. If you have any trendy and unique idea of blouse, you can definitely share your unique idea with us.
Kutchhi blouses are wonderful masterpieces of embroidery from the craft rich area of Gujrat-Kutch. They uplift a sari or a skirt/trousers to a new level of fashion. Very intricate in nature they are gorgeous and are a great addition to your ethnic wardrobe.
