Kaleidoscope
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>Artist: Kasim Family of Varanasi. 28 Inches Wide
Complete your look
Hand-picked pieces that sing gently with this one.
Sale
Behind this piece
Varanasi has woven brocade for over a thousand years, its looms fed by the Ganga's moisture and a mercantile tradition that once clothed Mughal courts. The Kasim family works within this lineage, threading zari through pure silk on pit looms where the pattern is held entirely in the weaver's memory and muscle. Kaleidoscope draws from the geometric vocabulary of Banarasi kimkhwab, where colour and light shift with every movement of the fabric. Each repeat is a calculation made by hand. Nothing here is produced by machine, and nothing is rushed.
How to style
Wear Kaleidoscope as a saree draped in the Banarasi style with a silk organza blouse in ivory or deep wine, letting the brocade speak without competition. For a more contemporary reading, stitch it into a structured anarkali and pair it with kolhapuri heels in tan leather. As evening occasionwear, bring out uncut polki or jadau earrings and a potli in contrasting silk. The fabric's natural sheen means it photographs exceptionally well under artificial light, making it a considered choice for receptions, mehendi ceremonies, and winter weddings.
Fabric & care
Pure silk brocade is among the most sensitive of handloom textiles. Dry-clean only; do not immerse in water, as zari threads oxidise and silk warps lose their alignment when wet. Store flat or rolled in a cotton muslin cloth, never in plastic, which traps moisture and accelerates fibre degradation. Keep away from direct sunlight during storage. Do not hang for extended periods, as the weight of the brocade causes the warp to stretch. Aired gently after each wear and stored correctly, this silk will hold its lustre for decades.
More from fabrics
Sale
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share your thoughts.
From the Journal
Stories about the craft, the loom, and the wearing of a piece like this one.
