Lush-Meadow Backless Choli from Kutch with Embroidery and Mirrors
Dry clean only. Store folded in a soft muslin pouch away from direct sunlight to keep the sheen alive.
Description
Art Silk. Shoulders 14.0 in. Bust 36.0 in. Length 21.0 in. Sleeve Length 12.0 in
Complete your look
Hand-picked pieces that sing gently with this one.
Behind this piece
The Kutch region of Gujarat has long been a crucible of mirror-work embroidery, known locally as shisha work, where artisans stitch tiny convex glass pieces into dense geometric fields of thread. This tradition belongs to several communities of the Kutch, including the Mutwa and Rabari needleworkers, each with a distinct visual grammar passed down across generations. The lush meadow palette of this choli draws from the region's affinity for saturated colour against an arid landscape, a tension that has always made Kutchi embroidery feel both grounded and radiant. Every mirror catches a different light.
How to style
Pair this backless choli with a voluminous lehenga skirt in deep forest green or ivory raw silk for a festive look that lets the embroidery breathe. For a contemporary reading, wear it with wide-leg palazzo trousers in a solid earthy tone and minimal gold jhumkas from Rajasthan. For evening occasions such as a mehendi or sangeet, complete the look with ghungroo-detail block-heeled sandals and a single oxidised silver cuff. The exposed back makes a dupatta entirely optional, allowing the Kutchi mirror-work to hold the eye without any additional layer competing for attention.
Fabric & care
Art silk, a woven viscose that mimics the drape and sheen of pure silk, requires gentle handling to retain its lustre. Hand wash in cold water using a mild, pH-neutral detergent, keeping agitation minimal. Do not wring or twist the fabric. Roll it gently in a clean cotton towel to absorb excess water, then dry flat in shade away from direct sunlight, which fades the dye and weakens the fibre. Store folded in soft muslin rather than polythene, with no heavy garments pressing against the mirror-work. Inspect the shisha stitching periodically and have loose threads secured promptly.
More from womens tops
Sale
Sale
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.
