Cordovan and Red Brocade Fabric from Banaras with Woven Flowers and Zari Weave by Hand
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 - 23 inch
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Behind this piece
Banaras has woven brocade for over a thousand years, and the Kasim family carries that lineage in their hands. This fabric belongs to the tradition of Banarasi kimkhab, where zari threads are interlaced with silk by hand on pit looms in the narrow galis of Varanasi. The cordovan ground, a deep burgundy-brown drawn from the vocabulary of Mughal court textiles, holds woven flowers that emerge from the weave itself, not printed, not embroidered. Each motif is a decision made at the loom, repeated with the patience that distinguishes handloom from everything that tries to imitate it.
How to style
Cut this brocade into a structured anarkali or a wide-legged palazzo set for a winter wedding or festive mehendi. The cordovan and red pairing responds beautifully to antique gold Kundan jewellery, particularly a choker with uncut stones that echo the warmth of the zari. For a more restrained occasion, a short kurta in this fabric over ivory cigarette trousers reads as intentional and contemporary. Pair with tan kolhapuris or gold-toned mojaris to ground the richness. Avoid silver jewellery, which fights rather than complements the depth of this colourway.
Fabric & care
Pure silk brocade requires dry cleaning for the first wash to preserve the zari's lustre and prevent tarnishing. If hand washing is necessary, use cool water and a mild silk-specific cleanser, never wringing or twisting the fabric. Lay flat on a clean white cotton cloth to dry, away from direct sunlight, which weakens silk fibres over time. Store folded in soft muslin, not plastic, and refold along different lines every few months to prevent permanent creases. Zari should be kept away from moisture and perfume, both of which accelerate oxidisation of the metallic threads.
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