Artisan Skill Enhancement: The dresses are embroidered by our Rajnigandha unit, who till 2019 were used to working on what is termed as "chaalu kaam" or fast moving Chikankari goods. They had never worked on such a skilled piece that helped them invest more creative hours & therefore earn better piece with creative satisfaction
Paan Motif: Usage of the much less used Paan Motif in regular work also, so that this motif can be revived.
Handloom Chanderi fabric: Making this dress a Handwoven & Handcrafted delight
KHAYAL (Moodboard): "When I was going to design Kalidar Dresses for my portfolio, I started with seeing what was available in Chikankari Kalidar Dresses in general. I was quite disappointed then seeing the spangly and strictly One Time Wear Kalidars that lacked classic appeal and clearly could be worn in very loud gatherings. It is definitely not the style of Meiraas.
Here I would also like to divulge, that at the risk of losing business, I have put my foot down on making “gowns” (whatever that means) and One Time Wears as much as I could.
For my Kalidar Dresses, I revisited some films from 1960s, where Kalidar Frocks, both Knee Length and Calf Length were worn by vintage actresses. The ease, the charm, the subtlety and the flow - I wanted that. I will especially recall Sadhana’s short one in Mere Mehboob, and Padmini’s beautiful orange one in Mera Naam Joker, in a Qawali song. Smart, easy to dress up and down, laidback and classic.
Something you can wear anywhere, anytime.
Here’s presenting a series on one of my favourite themes - Dolce Far Niente aka The Sweetness of Doing Nothing”
- Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Design, Meiraas
POSHAAK (About the Dress): Tiffany's Blue Chikankari Flared Dress on Finest Quality Handloom Chanderi with gorgeous flare & very dear embroidery of Lucknow's unique Paan Boota both on front & back in absolutely same pattern. This classic piece of Old World Dress is created keeping the drama of yesteryears in mind. Wear, twirl & watch the elegance overpower everyone.
The dress comes with a soft cotton detachable slip.
Artisan Skill Enhancement: The dresses are embroidered by our Rajnigandha unit, who till 2019 were used to working on what is termed as "chaalu kaam" or fast moving Chikankari goods. They had never worked on such a skilled piece that helped them invest more creative hours & therefore earn better piece with creative satisfaction
Paan Motif: Usage of the much less used Paan Motif in regular work also, so that this motif can be revived.
Handloom Chanderi fabric: Making this dress a Handwoven & Handcrafted delight
KHAYAL (Moodboard): "When I was going to design Kalidar Dresses for my portfolio, I started with seeing what was available in Chikankari Kalidar Dresses in general. I was quite disappointed then seeing the spangly and strictly One Time Wear Kalidars that lacked classic appeal and clearly could be worn in very loud gatherings. It is definitely not the style of Meiraas.
Here I would also like to divulge, that at the risk of losing business, I have put my foot down on making “gowns” (whatever that means) and One Time Wears as much as I could.
For my Kalidar Dresses, I revisited some films from 1960s, where Kalidar Frocks, both Knee Length and Calf Length were worn by vintage actresses. The ease, the charm, the subtlety and the flow - I wanted that. I will especially recall Sadhana’s short one in Mere Mehboob, and Padmini’s beautiful orange one in Mera Naam Joker, in a Qawali song. Smart, easy to dress up and down, laidback and classic.
Something you can wear anywhere, anytime.
Here’s presenting a series on one of my favourite themes - Dolce Far Niente aka The Sweetness of Doing Nothing”
- Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Design, Meiraas
POSHAAK (About the Dress): Soft Rose Chikankari Flared Dress on Finest Quality Handloom Chanderi with gorgeous flare & very dear embroidery of Lucknow's unique Paan Boota both on front & back in absolutely same pattern. This classic piece of Old World Dress is created keeping the drama of yesteryears in mind. Wear, twirl & watch the elegance overpower everyone.
The dress comes with a soft cotton detachable slip.
Power of Silence is a collection conceptualised by Meiraas in 2018, where we celebrate Silence - a much required virtue, & have given it a moodboard via elements of Powerful Silence.
White Handloom Chanderi TRULY Antique Style Anarkali Kurta with Macchli Mehraab Chikankari embroidery & Mukaish Daana details. The Kalidar is lined only on the bust using softest cotton. Rest is left unlined to exactly create Anarkalis from Mughal & Nawab courts. Stitching and Finishing of the Kurta is complimentary by Meiraas.
PLEASE NOTE:Only M size is available & READY TO SHIP.
The Sustainability Quotient (SQ):
1. Skilled Resham Hand Embroidery
2. Exclusive Meiraas motifs carved following all processes, with antique motifs.
3. 100% Handwoven Chanderi produced In House by Meiraas.
4.Higher price paid to the artisans than regularly paid wages in the market
5. Antique Style Anarkali Kurta with 18-20 Kali Gher (as per size). Please note Antique Anarkali were never floor length, they were always knee length or just a little below. This Kurta has been crafted with Antiquity mood board and not modern variations.
KHAYAL (mood-board):
Kabootarbaazi is inherent to the culture of Lucknow and Awadh. Whether romanced in Ruskin Bond's period novella "A Flight of the Pigeons" or appearing aesthetically in Ray's "Shatranj ke Khiladi", Pigeons and the skyline of Lucknow is synonymous with each other. Seen here is White Chikankari embroidered Kabootar in the EXCLUSIVE MOTIF created by Meiraas under Falaknuma Collection.This motif of Chikankari is an exclusive design of Meiraas launched in 2018.
POSHAAK (about the dress): THE TRULY ANTIQUE ANARKALI. Heavily crafted with Chikankari & Mukaish this Kalidar is lined only on the bust & rest is left without lining in true Mughal Court Kalidar style The essence of Awadh in the Kali of the creamy white Kurta; Macchli (Fish) inside the Mehraab (Archway) is a poetic artscape featuring on these Archive Quality Kurtas. The kalis have Antique Leaf Creeper featuring masterclass Phanda stitch.
These Antique Style Anarkali Kurta are 18-20 Kali Gher (as per size). Please note Antique Anarkali were never floor length, they were always knee length or just a little below. This Kurta has been crafted with Antiquity mood board and not modern variations.
They are paired best with Meiraas Pants uploaded in Dopehri collective IMPORTANT: Same colour Cotton Pants will be stitched complimentary with the Kurta
Please refer to Size Chart and not sizing guide to know your perfect fit.
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Artisan Skill enhancement: One of a kind tunic design with exceptional blocks that were not used for years; a delight for creative minds.
MARGINS - all Meiraas Ready to Wear comes with margins to enable minor alteration; Margins are most important feature if one wishes to make more sustainable ready to wear pieces. Margins need expert hand tailoring and are neatly managed in the in seams to keep wearer's comfort in mind.
Traditional Oreb Cut of Awadh
Handmade in India
SUSTAINABLE MEIRAAS CHIKANKARIKHAYAL (moodboard): Ruskin Bond's novella "A Flight of Pigeons" is set in Shahjahanbad, Uttar Pradesh, during India's first recorded War of Independence against British Raj in 1857. The story, though a love story in the intent, is a lot more than that. It is a beautiful story of camaraderie in such bleak times between English women who are left as survivors of an aftermath, & extreme kindness & compassion they end up sharing with Indians where they take shelter. The friendship between "Kothiwali" an aging matriarch & Mariam, the English lady is lovely. The Cotton Frock, Aamramanjari, is an ode to this friendship & hence is made in a style that passes for both Indian & English.
Aamra Manjari or Mango Blossoms is the name given to the beautiful embroidery, as that belt of Uttar Pradesh is dominated by rows and rows of Mango plantations. Just like the tender & joyous blossoms, the friendship of women in this story is unassuming, under rated, yet most beautiful.
POSHAAK (about the outfit): Aamra Manjari Cotton Frock is made on Soft Pure Cotton. This frock is part of our artisan skill set improvement project, & the full collection took 1.5 years plus to get made. The front ghera (flare) is heavily embroidered with Mango Bark, the bust is done up with minimal flower & bel boota. The back has one statement Aamra Manjari motif & rest has small scattered flowers. It is a beautiful dress to be worn in any weather & any occasion - work, beach holiday, fort holidays, home working. It can be dressed up as a Kurta and dressed down as a tunic on the beach.
Important: This cut is called Oreb. Please note that the kurta is not asymmetrical, but cut in Oreb style.
Only Kurta is available to shop from this listing.
Fabric: Powerloom Cotton
Styling Top: Pair with our Jane Eyre Chikankari Kota Doria Dupatta as shown in Image 7