Digital-Printed Kaftan with Dori on Waist and Large Peacock Feathers
Gentle hand-wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid soaking. Iron on medium heat while slightly damp.
Description
There are silhouettes that ask nothing of the wearer except to simply be present, and this kaftan is one of them. Rendered in fluid viscose that moves with the ease of still water, it carries a large digital-printed peacock feather motif across its expanse, a motif that has long wandered through the weaving traditions of Varanasi brocade, Kanjivaram borders, and the painted margins of Pichwai cloth. Here, it finds new life in a contemporary silhouette, printed with the precision of modern textile technology yet rooted in a visual vocabulary that belongs unmistakably to the subcontinent. The dori at the waist allows the kaftan to gather softly or fall free, offering the wearer a gentle choice between ease and definition. Available in four considered colourways, from the deep absorption of Pirate Black to the jewelled clarity of Moroccan Blue, each shade lends the peacock feather a different quality of light. Being made to order, each piece is prepared with deliberate care rather than haste. Wear it to a sunlit afternoon gathering with kolhapuri sandals, or layer it over narrow trousers for an evening that calls for quiet elegance.
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Behind this piece
The peacock, long venerated in Indian iconography from Mughal miniatures to temple friezes, here unfurls across fluid viscose in a form that is neither strictly traditional nor entirely contemporary. Digital printing allows the feather's iridescent eye to be rendered with a precision that block or screen printing cannot fully achieve, capturing gradients of teal, violet, and ochre in a single motif. The dori at the waist is a quiet nod to the angrakha's drawstring heritage, a silhouette that has dressed the subcontinent across centuries and courtly contexts, now reinterpreted as effortless resort wear.
How to style
In Moroccan Blue, wear this kaftan over straight ivory palazzo trousers for a coastal wedding reception, paired with oxidised silver jhumkas and kolhapuri flats in tan. The Pansy Purple reads beautifully as a standalone dress for a festive brunch; layer a fine Chanderi dupatta in gold-zari over one shoulder to anchor it. Pirate Black suits an evening gathering dressed up with a temple-jewellery choker and block-printed heeled mules. The dori tie allows the silhouette to shift from relaxed to nipped, making each look intentional rather than incidental.
Fabric & care
Viscose breathes generously but weakens when wet, so machine washing is inadvisable. Hand wash in cool water with a gentle, pH-neutral detergent, keeping the soak brief to prevent the digital print from losing its depth. Do not wring; instead, press the fabric gently between two dry towels. Dry flat and away from direct sunlight, which can fade the vivid peacock tones over time. Iron on low heat with a pressing cloth between the iron and the print. Store folded loosely in a cotton muslin bag, away from humidity, to preserve both the fabric and the dori ties.
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