A laidback, gorgeous Olive shade in Zou Bisou Chikankari Handloom Cotton Dress
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Chikankari Hand Embroidery - masterclass Orma stitch on the bodice to make lotuses
Handloom 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 (mood board):
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!!
Lucknow & Awadh has a long French Connection. Our founders' Alma Mater, La Martiniere, one of the most delightful heritage buildings in India, was built by Lt. General Claude Martin, an 18th Century French soldier turned entrepreneur, who fell in love with Lucknow, that was then called the Paris of the East. He chose to settle in Lucknow forever!!
Zou Bisou dress is an homage to the Awadh French Connect of the past.
POSHAAK (about the product):
Zou Bisou Olive Flared dress is made in soft Handloom Cotton with masterclass Orma stitch displayed on the bodice, back & sleeves, making it look extremely romantic & elegant. It has Mother of Pearl button detailing.
The bodice of the dress (only) with have thin soft lining to increase its longevity as this is heavy threadwork on handwoven soft fabric. The dress sleeves & rest of the flare will have no lining.
This dress is so perfect to slip on to movies, art soirees, a day out, museums, with friends, brunches, et al.
Imp:
This product includes the dress only.
Chikankari garments are generally translucent by nature of them being mostly whites or pastels or made on light cottons. To wear a slip underneath them or not is your personal choice.
A summer fresh Green Chikankari dress in Kala Cotton Handloom fabric.
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Chikankari Hand Embroidery
Organic Kala Cotton Handloom 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 (mood board):
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!!
Khus Sharbat is a refreshing home made summer cooler in almost all Lucknow homes. Khus or Vetiver, quite literally, defines Lucknow Dopehri. It is the essence of Lucknow. These fragrant roots are not only used as a natural room coolant or parfum, they are also used to extract fragrant and fresh summer drink.
POSHAAK (about the product):
This beautiful Handwoven Kala Cotton dress has an asymmetrical hemline, making it very versatile to wear it as a dress also. The stylish cut sits beautifully with Pyjamas, Pants or Shararas.
Beautiful and nuanced floral Chikankari motifs decorate the neckline and body with subtle hint of elegance. The back has a stunning bel boota. The super fine stitches used are - Ghaspatti, Bijli, Phanda, Pechni, most embossing stitches to help them stand out on Kala Cotton.
The shade of the Kurta: Green
Important:
Chikankari garments are translucent by nature as they are mostly made on lighter cottons & in natural white or pastel shades. To wear a slip underneath is subjective to the wearer's comfort
Only Dress is available to shop from this post.
If your size is not available, then shop 1 size larger only & put in an alteration request in checkout note.
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.
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.
KALA COTTON - Meiraas has used Organic Kala Cotton for the first time for Chikankari. This fabric was made into a personal dress for the founder and extensively tested for more than a year, before more yardage was ordered to plan Dopehri Kurta. The designing has been done in a manner that it makes Kala Cotton and Chikankari a part of more wardrobes.
Handmade in India
KHAYAL (mood board):
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!!
Bel Sharbat is a refreshing home made summer cooler in almost all Lucknow homes. Bel is an extremely nutritious fruit, and in the month of May this extremely juicy fruits starts falling from the trees, unable to hold its weight due to the nectar bursting inside.
Smaller than a melon, and bigger than a lemon, the pastel peach insides of the fruit are soaked in water and the juice is extracted as a slow process. Pre Cola and packaged drinks onslaught, these home made healthy beverages formed the summer staple of every Lucknow Dopehri.
POSHAAK (about the product):
This beautiful Handwoven Kala Cotton dress has an asymmetrical hemline, making it very versatile to wear it as a dress also. The stylish cut sits beautifully with Pyjamas, Pants or Shararas.
Beautiful and nuanced floral Chikankari motifs decorate the neckline and body with subtle hint of elegance. The back has a stunning bel boota. The super fine stitches used are - Ghaspatti, Bijli, Phanda, Pechni, most embossing stitches to help them stand out on Kala Cotton.
The shade of the Kurta: Pastel Peach
Important:
Chikankari garments are translucent by nature as they are mostly made on lighter cottons & in natural white or pastel shades. To wear a slip underneath is subjective to the wearer's comfort
Only Kurta is available to shop from this post.
Fabric: Handloom Kala Cotton (Organic Indigenous Cotton from Kutch, Gujarat).
Styling Tip: Please see last two image for the beautiful pairing with Emma Chikankari Kota Doria Dupatta. Emma is one shade lighter than the Kurta shade, enabling an interesting shaded pairing.
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.
Please refer to Size Chart and not sizing guide to know your perfect fit.
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Handloom Cotton fabric
Artisan Skill enhancement: the regular unit is used to faux fabrics, & worked on Handwoven Fabric for the first time.
Artisan Skill enhancement: Masterclass Orma stitch done by regular unit who is only used to do very basic shadow phanda work. This is an exhaustive & rewarding work for them.
Sufficient margins in ready to wear to enable alteration at any stage.
Lined bodice only with soft cotton to increase longevity of the garment.
Handmade in India
KHAYAL (mood board):
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!!
Lucknow & Awadh has a long French Connection. Our founders' Alma Mater, La Martiniere, one of the most delightful heritage buildings in India, was built by Lt. General Claude Martin, an 18th Century French soldier turned entrepreneur, who fell in love with Lucknow, that was then called the Paris of the East. He chose to settle in Lucknow forever!!
Zou Bisou dress is an homage to the Awadh French Connect of the past.
POSHAAK (about the product):
Zou Bisou Flared dress is made in soft Handloom Cotton with masterclass Orma stitch displayed on the bodice, back & sleeves, making it look extremely romantic & elegant. It has Mother of Pearl button detailing.
The bodice of the dress (only) with have thin soft lining to increase its longevity as this is heavy threadwork on handwoven soft fabric. The dress sleeves & rest of the flare will have no lining.
Imp:
This product includes the dress only.
Chikankari garments are generally translucent by nature of them being mostly whites or pastels or made on light cottons. To wear a slip underneath them or not is your personal choice.
Fabric: Handloom Cotton
Styling Tip: Will pair delightfully with Creme Chikankari Flared Pants as shown in the images.
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