Butterflies Digital-Printed Kaftan with Dori at Waist
Gentle hand-wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid soaking. Iron on medium heat while slightly damp.
Description
Butterflies do not land where they are not welcome, and this kaftan earns their company gracefully. Rendered in fluid viscose, the fabric moves with the unhurried ease of a summer afternoon, catching light without demanding it. A digital print brings the butterfly motif to life across the length of the garment, each wing detailed with a precision that honours the craft of surface ornamentation long celebrated in Indian textile tradition. The dori at the waist offers a gentle definition, allowing the wearer to shape the silhouette as she pleases, loose and languid or softly cinched. Available in five colour pairings, from the warmth of Honey Yellow and Red to the cool conversation of Pink and Blue, the palette draws on the chromatic confidence that has always distinguished Indian cloth. As a made-to-order piece, it carries the quiet integrity of something made with intention rather than haste. Wear it over narrow trousers for an evening at ease, or layer it above a straight kurta on cooler days. Either way, it asks for very little and offers considerable comfort in return.
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Behind this piece
Digital printing on viscose is a relatively young craft within India's vast textile landscape, yet it draws on a far older conversation between Indian weavers and the natural world. The butterfly motif, recurring across Mughal jali work, Kashmiri shawl borders, and Bengal kantha embroidery, finds new expression here through precision ink on fluid fabric. The kaftan silhouette itself carries echoes of Lucknowi courtly ease, where generosity of cut was considered a mark of refinement. The dori waist detail borrows from the angrakha tradition, cinching without constricting, offering shape through suggestion rather than structure.
How to style
Wear the Honey Yellow and Red colourway with flat Kolhapuri chappals in tan leather and a single strand of coral beads for a sun-filled afternoon gathering. The Blue and Nugget version pairs beautifully with slim ivory palazzo trousers beneath for a relaxed festive evening, anchored by silver jhumkas from Rajasthan. For a creative workspace or weekend art fair, choose Green and Brown, layer a raw-silk cropped jacket over the shoulders, and complete the look with block-printed canvas tote bags and low leather mules. Each colourway suits its own occasion with quiet confidence.
Fabric & care
Viscose breathes like cotton yet drapes like silk, and it rewards gentle handling in equal measure. Hand wash in cool water with a mild, pH-neutral detergent, keeping agitation to a minimum to prevent fibre distortion. Never wring; press out water between two clean towels instead. Dry flat in shade, away from direct sunlight, which can shift the vibrancy of digital-printed pigments over time. Iron on a low setting while the fabric is slightly damp, using a pressing cloth as a barrier. Store loosely folded in a breathable cotton bag, not plastic, to allow the fibre to rest.
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