Kaftan with Printed Elephant and Dori at Waist
Gentle hand-wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid soaking. Iron on medium heat while slightly damp.
Description
There is something unhurried about a kaftan, the way it moves before you do. This one is printed with the elephant motif, a symbol woven into the textile consciousness of the subcontinent for centuries, appearing in everything from Rajasthani block prints to the woven borders of festive silks. Here it arrives on fluid viscose, a fabric that drapes with the easy generosity of handloom but carries the practicality of everyday wear. The dori at the waist allows you to gather or release the silhouette entirely on your own terms, making the fit genuinely your own. It is offered in five considered colours: the deep calm of Amparo Blue and Mosaic Blue, the heat of Paprika Red, a soft Pink Flambe, and the botanical richness of Viridis Green. Each shade gives the elephant print a different temperament, festive in red, contemplative in green. Wear it belted loosely over wide-leg palazzos for a languid afternoon at home, or layer it over a fitted kurta for an evening that asks for more polish. Either way, the kaftan does not try too hard, and that is precisely its appeal.
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Behind this piece
The elephant motif in Indian textile tradition carries centuries of ceremonial weight, appearing across temple sculptures, royal processional banners, and the block-printed cottons of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Here, the motif is rendered through precision screen printing on viscose, a fibre that drapes with the languid grace of silk yet breathes with democratic ease. The dori at the waist is a quiet architectural gesture, borrowed from the angrakha silhouette, allowing the kaftan to be worn loose or gathered. Each colourway, from Paprika Red to Viridis Green, interprets the same design through a distinct emotional register.
How to style
In Amparo Blue, wear this kaftan over wide-leg ivory palazzos for a resort dinner, grounding the look with brass jhumkas and flat Kolhapuri chappals. In Paprika Red, let it serve as a kurta substitute at a festive daytime gathering, cinched with the dori and layered with a long oxidised silver necklace. For the Pink Flambe colourway, try it as a beach coverup over a swimsuit, paired with handwoven jute mules and a simple gold bangle. The Made to Order format means fit is considered from the first cut, not the last alteration.
Fabric & care
Viscose is a plant-derived regenerated fibre with a surface that responds poorly to heat and friction. Hand wash in cold water using a mild, pH-neutral detergent, and avoid wringing. Lay flat on a cotton towel to dry in shade, as direct sunlight degrades both the fibre and the printed pigments over time. Do not tumble dry. Iron on a low setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric surface. Store folded loosely in a breathable cotton bag rather than hung, which can distort the shoulder seams across repeated seasons.
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