Black-Beauty Pure Silk Short Kaftan from Kashmir with Hand-Woven Aari Embroidered Flowers
Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin pouch away from direct sunlight to keep the sheen alive.
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Behind this piece
Aari embroidery takes its name from the fine hooked needle, the aari, which Kashmiri craftsmen have wielded for centuries across the Vale. Unlike the counted-thread precision of sozni, aari work flows freehand, allowing the artisan to coax sinuous floral trails across the ground fabric with a fluency that feels almost spontaneous. On pure silk, the technique reaches its fullest expression: the needle finds the weave with little resistance, and each chain-stitched petal catches the light differently depending on angle and hour. This kaftan carries that living tradition, its black ground making every floral motif luminous by contrast.
How to style
Wear this kaftan as a standalone occasion piece for an intimate Diwali gathering, cinched softly with a narrow hand-block-printed cotton belt and paired with kolhapuri flats in tan leather. For a more dressed evening, layer it over straight ivory palazzo trousers and finish with polki silver earrings and a silk potli clutch. Diaspora wearers might style it over slim cigarette trousers for a cultural dinner abroad, grounding the festive silk in something quieter and travel-ready. The black ground works across seasons and skin tones without adjustment.
Fabric & care
Pure silk is a protein fibre of considerable delicacy. Hand-wash this kaftan in cold water using a ph-neutral, silk-safe detergent, keeping agitation gentle and brief. Never wring or twist; press excess water out by rolling the garment in a clean cotton towel. Dry flat in shade, away from direct sunlight, which fades both the silk and the embroidery threads over time. Store folded in a breathable muslin bag, never a plastic cover. A light steaming on reverse, never direct ironing, will restore the silk's natural drape between wearings.
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