Traditional Desi Wedding Embroidery

1. Traditional Desi Wedding Embroidery The most important decision in your life is deciding whom you are going to choose as a life partner. Your next important decision is what you are going to wear on that special day. Today, most brides are ditching the traditional sari for Lehengas. But whatever you choose to wear, you need to embellish it with the traditional age old craft of embroidery. Here are the three beloved embroidery types that you must choose from. •Zardosi Perhaps the most popular embroidery on bridal wear, ‘Zardosi’ is an embroidery that originated in Persia and is now used extensively in the Middle East and India. The word ‘Zar’ in Persian means ‘gold’, and ‘dozi’, means ‘work’. This type of metal embroidery, originally used to adorn wall hangings with gold or silver thread, studded with pearls and precious stones. Today’s craftsmen use polished copper wire or silver on a silken- thread to express their art. The finest Zardosi embroidery in India today hails from Lucknow, Chennai and Bhopal. Farrukhabad, renowned for ‘Rehmani’ embroidery also uses of ‘Zari’ thread woven in to brocade garments to create intricate designs. •Bandhani The next popular type of embroidery used to embellish more vibrant rather than regal ethnic wedding wear is ‘Bandhani’. It originates from the Sanskrit word ‘Bandhna’ meaning ‘to tie’. This is the traditional Indian art of ‘tie and dye’ that makes use of watertight threads for tying. The fabric is then dipped in to a rainbow of dyes to create artistic circular patterns. ‘Bandhani’ was always big in the bridal scene in western India, because it was believed to invite good luck- (which is why it was and is considered very auspicious in Gujarat and Rajasthan.) ‘Bandhani’ work (on red which represents marriage) always decorates the bridal sari gifted from groom’s family and on Gujarati wedding ensembles. You will be surprised to know that ‘tie and dye’ is the most indigenous form of embroidery that originated as far back as the Indus Valley Civilization dated around 4000 B.C. Legend has it that even ‘Alexander the Great’ praised the fine art of Indian ‘bandhani’. More recently, tie and dye became all the rage in late 60s through the hippy cultures. Another renowned tie and dye technique from India is ‘lehariya’ that create ‘lehar’ or wave patterns. Very popular on the vibrant colourful ethnic wear of Rajasthan. Today ‘bandhani’ embroidery creates unique designs on bridal wear that’s in hot demand for lehengas, saris, ghagras and dupattas. •Mirror Work Mirror work also known as ‘Sheesha’ embroidery uses mirrors of different shapes and sizes on silk, chiffon, georgette or cotton; embroidered with chain stitch, cretan stitch (thread loops) and

2. buttonhole stitch. It has an ethereal effect and in its most contemporary form, mirrors are being replaced by metals that are luminescent and reflective. Whether you opt for ‘bandhane’, ‘zardozi or ‘mirror work’ embroidery designs on your bridal lehenga, cholis and wedding saris, ‘Pawan & Pranav –Haute Couture’ offers today’s brides the exquisite world of bridal embroidery in an elegant and regal range of ‘lehengas’ and saris, in innovative and unforgettable designs, accentuated with beads or sequins. The Pawan & Pranav unique range of designer bridal wear offers diverse embroidery styles, crafted by masters, for you to choose from- on luxurious fabrics in iconic styles. Drop in to our showroom in Juhu today! Your one stop designer bridal shop in mumbai…