A regal Steel Grey version of Matsya Chikankari Kurta! Perfect for languid summers, bursting monsoons or early setting in winters!
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Chikankari Hand Embroidery - rare antique miniature motif & Meiraas Exclusive Fish motif
Daraz Hand Embroidery -Rare Fish Motif referenced from archival work housed in V&A Museum.
Pure Cotton fabric
Bespoke Tailoring
Margins given in each garment to ensure sustainability in ready to wear
Hand dyed using Azo Free pigments
Only hand carved Chikankari motifs were used.
Khayal: Moodboard
FISH motif is one of the most celebrated icons of Awadh's heritage & history. The Fish Emblem was sacred to the Nawab royalty of Lucknow & Awadh, and its inspiration looms large on the many architectural landmarks across Awadh, that are now seeing the ravages of time. We have already created an Original Chikankari Motif of the Fish Emblem, we now wanted to create a revival of the iconic symbol in another masterpiece art of Awadh - Daraz applique.
The Awadhi Crafts are versatile with hand arts beyond Chikankari; Many crafts like Daraz, Mukaish, Aari, Zardozi have a unique standing of their own, yet are now relegated as an add on to Chikan in their most basic & non creative form. Daraz applique is one of them.
Poshaak: (about the dress)
This beautiful summer fresh classic kurta has a unique daraz fish motif embroidery along the length of the kurta in the front. This was recreated in reference to an archival work housed in V&A Museum currently. The kurta has black Chikankari embroidery in antique miniature motif (rare to find such small & detailed motifs now) in the front, & Meiraas Exclusive Fish emblem statement motif.
The cut of this kurta is single kali, which ensures better fall & grace.
It is one of a kind Chikankari kurta, that is sure to become a conversation starter.
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): Buttery Yellow 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 to match.
Chikankari Hand Embroidery - rare antique miniature motif & Meiraas Exclusive Fish motif
Daraz Hand Embroidery -Rare Fish Motif referenced from archival work housed in V&A Museum.
Pure Cotton fabric
Bespoke Tailoring
Margins given in each garment to ensure sustainability in ready to wear
Only hand carved Chikankari motifs were used.
Khayal: Moodboard
FISH motif is one of the most celebrated icons of Awadh's heritage & history. The Fish Emblem was sacred to the Nawab royalty of Lucknow & Awadh, and its inspiration looms large on the many architectural landmarks across Awadh, that are now seeing the ravages of time. We have already created an Original Chikankari Motif of the Fish Emblem, we now wanted to create a revival of the iconic symbol in another masterpiece art of Awadh - Daraz applique.
The Awadhi Crafts are versatile with hand arts beyond Chikankari; Many crafts like Daraz, Mukaish, Aari, Zardozi have a unique standing of their own, yet are now relegated as an add on to Chikan in their most basic & non creative form. Daraz applique is one of them.
Poshaak: (about the dress)
This beautiful summer fresh classic kurta has a unique daraz fish motif embroidery along the length of the kurta in the front. This was recreated in reference to an archival work housed in V&A Museum currently. The kurta has black Chikankari embroidery in antique miniature motif (rare to find such small & detailed motifs now) in the front, & Meiraas Exclusive Fish emblem statement motif.
The cut of this kurta is single kali, which ensures better fall & grace.
It is one of a kind Chikankari kurta, that is sure to become a conversation starter.
Made on Order Dress. Please check Time in Dispatch before ordering. Refer to Size Chart and not Sizing Guide."You Only Live Twice, Or So It Seems...One life for Yourself and one for the Dreams"
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Artisan Skill enhancement: Revival of old Bijli boota (named by Artisan), commissioned and researched by Meiraas from old archived images of Chikankari.
Archival Project: The motif on the sleeve is 200 years old at least (please see Reels on Meiraas IG to see the make and texture of old wooden motif). Revival of front & back motif with reference from Chikankari archives.
Handloom Cotton fabric
Minimalist pattern of dress makes the heritage motifs more usable, as they are intricate and delicate and cannot be used in current work style of fast and rough work.
Handmade in India
KHAYAL (mood board):"Since the time I started working on Chikankari, my sensibilities have evolved tremendously along with my brand. As any regular Lucknavi born in the 80s, I have witnessed the decline of this beautiful craft, and rarely cared back then. Today this craft is by and large a far cry from what was available just a few decades back. The ancient & antique motifs lie in the workshops gathering dust as the Fast and Thick work does not require their delicate charm. Gradually the artisans who could work on such intricate motifs became rarer. Now a handful who can embroider such motifs work on heavily embroidered pieces that come in super luxury range. Then how can I make them more sustainable. Minimalist Kurtas is one way, & I am seeing success there, but a Dress! That too Handwoven with charming old World cuts and pleats, and delicately placed Ancient motifs! Now this can certainly be a more Global and Versatile choice " - Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Design, MeiraasPOSHAAK (about the product):
Handwoven Cotton soft dress with charming old World cuts and pleats, and flared sleeves. The embroidery is delicate and antique on the sleeves and the motifs on front & back are a Revival Project by Meiraas from an archived Chikankari motif.
Important:
The length is 49 inches and reaches on the lower calf, you can have this reduced as per your height as the dress is Made on Order.
Colours can be customised (Azo Free Only) as the dress is Made on Order, along with the embroidery colour. Please DM on Meiraas IG, or Whatsapp at 9810119795 for more.
Chikankari garments are translucent by nature as they are mostly made on lighter cottons & in natural white or pastel shades. To wear a slip/layering inner wear underneath is subjective to the wearer's comfort. We are only providing the dress.
The model is wearing no layered inner wear in the images, except essentials.
SUSTAINABLE CHIKANKARI BY MEIRAASKHAYAL (mood-board): Patta Patta Boota Boota haal hamare jaane hain - Mir Taqi Mir, 1723-1810
The mood board inspiration for the motif is based on Mir Sahab's poem & the romance of floral frescoes in India, whether in architecture, art, poems and even textiles. This is a unique Meiraas motif inspired from Rajasthani & Mughal art, as Mir sahab was a jewel of Mughal court, & spent his later years in Lucknow court with Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daulah. This dress is an ode to Mir Sahab.
POSHAAK (about the dress): This Kota Doria Dress has two masterclass arts - Gota Pintucks & Rehsam Chikankari. The dress was first pintucked & inlaid with Silver Gota. Post that it was sent to Lucknow to our artisans for high quality Resham Chikankari. The Dress is soft grey, a non traditional colour palette for Chikankari. The silver gota acts like a silver lining on dark cloud, very promising & hopeful. The embroidery is kept tonal & minimalist, yet graceful & regal. The back of the dress is plain with gota lines present in the kalis. The neck of the dress has silver Kingri lace details. The dupatta accompanying the dress is plain Kota Doria with Gota Edge detailing.
The dress is ankle length & well lined with soft Cotton lining. It has a facing of Handloom Ikat to add drama. It needs no pants.
The dress has hook button close up in front.
The dress can be altered from XS to M easily. This is just one exclusive dress, so simply look at the size chart in last image & mention your size in checkout. We will alter accordingly & dispatch your dress.
Fabric: Soft Kota Doria
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.
Handmade in India
Khayal: Moodboard
Dopehri is a summer song of Lucknow presented by Meiraas!! Through this entry range collection of ours, we want you to step into the oasis of slow summer living of yesteryears that we are all trying to bring back collectively!!
Poshaak: (about the dress)
Chikankari Soft Cotton A Line Kurta with Trellis Pattern shadow embroidery on the bust, sleeves and back. Rest of the body has small floral motifs. The Kurta is finished with Wooden button detailing.
The Kurta has pocket detailing that makes it an elegant and practical wear.
Colour of the Kurta: Soft Powder Green
Fabric: Pure Cotton