Gray Brocade Fabric with Woven Roses 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. 22.5 Inches Wide
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Behind this piece
Banaras brocade carries centuries of court patronage in its weave. This particular fabric comes from the Kasim family, whose looms operate within the winding lanes of Varanasi, a city that has dressed emperors and brides alike. The woven roses here are not printed or embroidered after the fact; they are constructed thread by thread on a handloom, the motifs emerging from the negative space of pure silk warp and weft. Gray as a ground colour is a quietly confident choice, allowing the floral geometry to hold the eye without competing for attention.
How to style
Cut this fabric into a structured kurta for a winter literary festival, pairing it with raw silk palazzo trousers in ivory and Bidriware earrings from Karnataka. For a wedding reception, consider a bespoke blouse to wear beneath a tissue-silk saree, letting the woven roses surface at the neckline. A tailored jacket in this brocade, worn over a fine cotton kurta with Kolhapuri sandals, carries the craft from ceremony into a refined everyday occasion. The restrained grey ground means the fabric works across seasons without effort.
Fabric & care
Pure silk brocade is best entrusted to a professional dry cleaner who understands handloom textiles. If hand-washing at home, use cold water with a pH-neutral soap and never wring or twist the fabric. Press only on the reverse side, using a cool iron with a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the silk surface. Store folded in soft muslin, away from direct light and moisture, to prevent the silk fibre from weakening and the woven motifs from distorting. A cedar block nearby will discourage pests without the harshness of mothballs.
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