Indian Women & Embroidery Touch New Global Heights

Indian Fashion, particularly said, traditional Indian fashion has touched new international heights. Karnataka's kasuti (embroidery), which is used to embellish the Kanjeevaram Sarees and Mysore Silk Sarees, will now be seen on western outfits in the boutiques of Amsterdam and London. Not only India's cherished craft of embroidery has gone global but our women- the rural women of India too have gone global with the help of their art. These western clothing with Indian touch will be designed and tailored by women of Hubli, Karnatake, India.

Maharashtra-based NGO Mann Deshi Foundation (MDF) has joined hands with Holland-based NGO Satara Foundation to popularize the traditional form of embroidery. Not only the foundation conducts training in tailoring and kasuti but it also trains the poor women in making hand-embroidered folders, pouches, saris, jeans, tops and newborn baby suits. Although, the main aim is to empower women, it is taking Indian fashion to the international levels through new roads. This will help the women of low income group in earning a steady income by creating international market for their products.

The Dutch volunteers from the prestigious Amsterdam Fashion Institute are training 15 women on the intricacies of western outfits. These women were earlier trained in tailoring by MDF who plans to set up a production unit in Hubli. The NGO will then export the designer clothing to the Netherlands and London. They will be marketed with the help of NGOs and fashion institutes. Now, this is called fashion with social cause!

Different Drapes of Saree

Saree- the most favorite clothing of Indian women is the most elegant one too. A woman looks attractive and beautiful in a saree. No matter whether a sari is draped in the traditional way or in some regional style, it definitely will lend its unique charm. However, if draped in the wrong way, it can play havoc on one's personality. Those who use saree as their daily wear find it very easy to drape it the right way but the ones who wear saree occasionally have to put in much effort. The style of sari draping depends on one's region or the latest trends. Sometimes it is festivals that dictate the style of saree wearing. For example, one likes to wear a saree in Maharashtrian style during Ganeshotsava while in Bengali or Gujarati style during Navarartri. Learn through step-by-step instructions about how to drape saree in different ways

Red Saree- The Choice of Indian Brides

Red has always remained the symbol of Indian wedding - the color of bridal sarees! Most of the brides from all over India wear red on their wedding day.


Tamil Brides like to wear heavy Kanjeevaram Sarees. The uniqueness of saree is matched by the bridal jewelery that is mostly in gold. The combination of red and golden color makes the south Indian bride more beautiful.

Bengali Bride in red richly worked upon handloom saree, so well portrayed by Aishwarya Rai, is no hidden secret. The distinguishing feature of a bengali bride is the white head crown. The white color of this crown, against all over red, makes the face of bengali bride glow with beauty.
However, not all Indian brides wear red but yes there is always a stint of red color in their attire. For example, Gujarati brides wear the combination of red and white as their bridal dress. But the fever of red has caught the Gujarati bride too. More and more of them are now dressing less traditionally and wearing red or blue or gold. The above portrait of Rani Mukherjee shows the elegant golden yellow Gujarati bridal wear with a combination of red shade.

Indian wedding is not confined to the wedding day only. There are many other rituals that go along with it spanning many days before and after the big day. In all the other associated functions, the Indian bride loves to wear red which is considered the color of 'suhagan' or the married woman. The above green saree in silk with rich brocade work embellished with sequins, stones, resham and zardosi features the red pallu in crepe with sequins and resham embroidery work- true delight of any Indian Bride.

There are many regions where saree is not the bridal dress but the bridal lehengas are worn like in Rajasthan. However, as the Indian women can't leave the temptation of wearing a red saree, the Rajasthani bride fulfills her wish by wearing red or maroon bridal sarees. This maroon Georgette saree is heavily designed with sequins, stones, beads, zari and floral motifs on the border to give the new bride a feel of Red Indian Bridal Sarees.