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.
Meiraas Exclusive Falaknuma Chikankari Kurta with our own created motifs of Chess pieces of the Nawab Times (Badshah, Wazir, Haathi, Ghoda), & a Chess Board (Bisaat) fitted inside a Paisley shape. A true work of art & conceptual Kurta in Chikankari.
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Exclusive Meiraas Motifs: Celebrating the iconographies that define the culture of Lucknow & carry forward its legacy via Textile Art, like Chikankari.
Concept Work: in coherence with the Cultural History of the city where the craft Chikankari is practised.
Sustainable fabric base - Pure Linen
Bespoke stitching.
KHAYAL (moodboard):
Falaknuma motifs were created by Meiraas in 2018, and all of them were paying an ode to the iconographies rooted in the culture of Awadh; Chess Pieces & a Game of Chess was one of them.
Taking inspiration from celebrated Indian author, Munshi Premchand's story, Shatranj Ke Khiladi, we created Bisaat. Celebrated Indian Filmmaker, Satyajit Ray, also made a classic adaptation of this story in 1977.
Bisaat or the chessboard was the biggest conversation starter in Awadh; this past legacy has been recreated on this showstopper Kurta
POSHAAK (about the dress): This is a Pure Linen Yellow Kurta with Bisaat motifs of Badshah (King), Wazir (Minister), Haathi (Elephant) & Ghoda (Horse), which were re created as a reference from pieces used in playing chess during the times of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
The front panel has these iconic motifs scattered artfully in a pair in the colours of Off White & Brown, that will compliment the Yellow base.
The back has a statement motif of a Paisley, inside which is fitted a checkboard of the Bisaat of Chess Board, making it a unique statement piece of Art & a Conversation Starter.
Additional Details: The Kurta is Made on Order only. Please feel free to give your custom sizing (please specify body or garment sizing), in case you don't find your perfect fit in our size chart.
The Kurta will be accompanied with a pair of plain Flax Cotton Pants in natural off white shade. You can choose to make a pyajama or a pant; please put this option in the customer note.
For more queries, please mark a mail on namaste@meiraas.com ; we will be happy to guide you through the process.
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
Please refer to Size Chart and not sizing guide to know your perfect fit.THIS DRESS IS SLIM FIT, therefore ideally choose 1 size bigger than the Meiraas size that fits you. For XXL shoppers in this case, we will provide alteration of Slim Fit, rest shoppers can choose 1 size bigger.
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Handloom Cotton
Artisan Skill enhancement: One of a kind tunic design with exceptional blocks that were not used for years; a delight for creative minds.
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!!
POSHAAK (about the product):
Nawabi is a tunic designed taking references from Bengal style neckline that was very much in vogue right uptil 70s. Largely used for mens' fashion in the past, we have made the design gender neutral by creating it for women.
This is handloom cotton Chikankari Kurta with beautiful chanapatti, shadow, phanda (hand cutwork) stitches, with Mother of Pearl button & pocket detailing.
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 Cotton
Styling Tip: Will work beautifully with Creme Chikankari Flared Pants.
This product is Made on Order
Beautiful Pink Pure Cotton self pattern Kurta Fabric with Fine Chikankari embroidery done using heritage motifs from our unit (please read full description and delivery timeline).
The Sustainability Quotient (SQ):
1. Skilled Resham Hand Embroidery
2. Handpicked heritage value motifs
3. Top quality pure cotton fabric
KHAYAL (moodboard): Sometime back I had conceptualised a saree, and named it Biryani chawal saree. I think that video is still available to see on our IG Videos. In that video i had mentioned that the Murri stitch resembles Sela variety of rice, used for making Biryani. That entire saree was dominated by very rare Murri stitch, which is quite difficult to do, and hence is done less now. I wanted to design a Kurta Fabric using extensive Murri stitch, and here it is!!- Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Creative, Meiraas
POSHAAK (about the dress): This lovely Pink Kurta has a stunning phool patti neckline and has extensive use of the rare Murri stitch, amongst others. Murri, when done exactly like this, is a sight for the sore eyes. The sleeves have the same antique bel as neckline.
The back has a heritage Paisley motif with extensive use of Murri & Jaali stitch is also there. Rest of the kurta is plain so that both self pattern fabric & Chikankari are laid our neatly on the kurta.
The Chikankari is Resham and will be 3 taar.
This kurta fabric is a good way to wear heritage motifs in classical Awadhi style, and most importantly for everyday wear, not just occasion wear.
Please Note: Only Kurta Fabric is available to shop from this post. If you want us to stitch it for you, then drop in a mail at namaste@meiraas.com and our team will assist you further.
Please note that these kurta fabrics are made in a way that they can be stitched for both Men & Women. For Men, this Kurta fabric can be used to fit Sizes - S, M, L only, for a standard knee length Kurta.This product is Made on Order
Lovely bright Yellow Pure Cotton self pattern Kurta Fabric with Fine Chikankari embroidery done using heritage motifs from our unit (please read full description).
The Sustainability Quotient (SQ):
1. Skilled Resham Hand Embroidery
2. Handpicked heritage value motifs
3. Top quality pure cotton fabric
KHAYAL (moodboard): Swarna Paatra or Golden leaf finds its mention in Puranic legends. A leaf of Gold that grants its finder magical powers of healing, and cures them of all doshas. It obviously refers to a golden coloured leaf that would have had fabulous healing properties. Many such "vanaspati" are lost now. This heritage motif reminds me of that Puranic legend always- Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Creative, Meiraas
POSHAAK (about the dress): This brilliant bright yellow Kurta has a stunning neckline with leaf motif & is filled with sunehre kasab ke taar ki jaali stitch amongst other stitches. The sleeves have the same antique bel as neckline.
The back has a lovely and rare motif of a cube with phool patti art in it of the rarest kind. This motif ha sbeen painstakingly developed by our unit lady. Rest of the kurta is plain so that both self pattern fabric & Chikankari are laid our neatly on the kurta.
The Chikankari is Resham and will be 3 taar.
This kurta fabric is a good way to wear heritage motifs in classical Awadhi style, and most importantly for everyday wear, not just occasion wear.
Please Note: Only Kurta Fabric is available to shop from this post. If you want us to stitch it for you, then drop in a mail at namaste@meiraas.com and our team will assist you further.
Luscious lemony Yellow Pure Cotton self pattern Kurta Fabric with Fine Chikankari embroidery done using heritage motifs from our unit (please read full description).
The Sustainability Quotient (SQ):
1. Skilled Resham Hand Embroidery
2. Handpicked heritage value motifs
3. Top quality pure cotton fabric
KHAYAL (moodboard): Sometime back I had conceptualised a saree, and named it Biryani chawal saree. I think that video is still available to see on our IG Videos. In that video i had mentioned that the Murri stitch resembles Sela variety of rice, used for making Biryani. That entire saree was dominated by very rare Murri stitch, which is quite difficult to do, and hence is done less now. I wanted to design a Kurta Fabric using extensive Murri stitch, and here it is!!- Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Creative, Meiraas
POSHAAK (about the dress): This luscious lemony yellow Kurta has a stunning phool patti neckline and has extensive use of the rare Murri stitch, amongst others. Murri, when done exactly like this, is a sight for the sore eyes. The sleeves have the same antique bel as neckline.
The back has a heritage Paisley motif with extensive use of Murri & Jaali stitch is also there. Rest of the kurta is plain so that both self pattern fabric & Chikankari are laid our neatly on the kurta.
The Chikankari is Resham and will be 3 taar.
This kurta fabric is a good way to wear heritage motifs in classical Awadhi style, and most importantly for everyday wear, not just occasion wear.
Please Note: Only Kurta Fabric is available to shop from this post. If you want us to stitch it for you, then drop in a mail at namaste@meiraas.com and our team will assist you further.
3 hand embroideries of Awadh in one kurta!!
Soothing Mango Yellow Chikankari & Daraz Kurta with Mukaish detailing on Handspun Handloom Cotton.
Only 1 Kurta is available to shop, so please mention your size, as per size chart given, in the Customer Note in the Checkout.
The Sustainability Quotient (SQ):
Skilled Resham Chikankari Hand Embroidery
Mukaish hand embroidery
Daraz applique embroidery in fish pattern
Handspun Handloom soft Cotton
Bespoke Tailoring with margins
Hand Dyed in Azo Free dyes
KHAYAL (mood-board):
Mango Yellow - When one thinks of Lucknow & summers, it is impossible not to think of the sweet nectarine mangoes of the region. As soon as fresh mangoes of the season come in, one whiff of the freshly plucked ones, sends anyone into an ecstasy of sensory pleasure of roaming in a beautiful mango orchard. This is what we wanted to capture through this design.
POSHAAK (about the dress): The central embroidery feature of this kurta is the Flower Motif on the Macchli Gate of Rumi Darwaza. When one sees this emblem of Awadh, one can see the two fishes on either side of a majestic flora. That flora is the central motif on the hemline & back motif of this kurta. A miniature version of the same, has been added to the body of the kurta. The fish motifs are done in Daraz to give this kurta the complete feel of the concept. The mango yellow shade, & smattering of Mukaish adds to the beauty of this piece.
Additional Details: This Kurta can be stitched upto sizes S to XXL only. Please select your size & we will stitch it complimentary. Ready Length: Approx. 44 inches.