Astral Aura-Blue Brocade Fabric from Banaras with Golden Zari Weave
Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin pouch away from direct sunlight to keep the sheen alive.
Description
Pure Silk Handloom Brocade<br> Weaver Kasim Family of Banaras. Width - 26 inch
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Hand-picked pieces that sing gently with this one.
Behind this piece
Banaras has woven its myths into silk for over two thousand years, and this brocade carries that lineage in every thread. The Kasim family, rooted in the weaving quarters of Varanasi, works the Jacquard loom with an inherited fluency that no machine can replicate. The astral blue ground, deep as a winter sky over the Ganga, is lifted by golden zari that traces botanical and celestial motifs across the width. This is katan silk brocade in its truest form: unhurried, intentional, and made to outlast the occasion for which it is cut.
How to style
Cut this into a structured unlined blouse to wear beneath a tissue organza saree for a winter wedding; the contrast of matte blue and gilt zari will read beautifully under warm evening light. Alternatively, commission a short anarkali kurta and pair it with ivory wide-leg pants and kolhapuri heels for a festive lunch. For the diaspora wearer, a tailored blazer in this fabric worn over a silk slip dress makes an arresting cultural statement at gallery openings or formal dinners. Finish any look with polki or uncut-diamond jewellery in gold, never silver.
Fabric & care
Pure silk katan brocade is resilient but demands respect. Dry-clean for the first wash to preserve the zari's lustre and prevent any bleeding of the ground colour. If hand-washing at home, use cold water and a mild, pH-neutral cleanser; never wring or twist the cloth. Lay flat on a clean cotton towel to dry, away from direct sunlight, which fades both silk and zari over time. Store folded in a soft muslin cloth, and place a neem leaf or cedar block nearby to discourage insects. Refold along different lines every few months to prevent permanent crease marks.
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