Not on display

This object consists of 3 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Sari, Sari Blouse and Belt

2010 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Abraham and Thakore are one of India's most established fashion and textile labels. Based in Delhi, they launched their label in 1992 and began primarily as an export business. Rising consumer affluence in India made them refocus their attention on the Indian market in 2007. Their first fashion ramp show was for the Autumn/Winter 2010/11 season and this sari is one of the pieces from that important collection. The concept for the show was to explore how urban women in India could wear fashionable yet traditional Indian garments as an alternative to western garments. The collection included saris and salwar kameez in simple cuts and minimal colours. This minimal black and white sari has a rickshaw design on the pallou (the section of the sari that falls over the shoulder) and is hand woven using a weft inlay jamdani technique. The sari is teamed with a fitted blouse on which there are appliquéd a number of miniature symbols of everyday life such as bicycles, lamps, umbrellas and mobile phones. A thin belt is worn over the sari to give a slim silhouette. The ensemble conveys a simple contemporary urban aesthetic.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Sari
  • Sari Blouse
  • Belt
Materials and techniques
Silk (22 denier 2 ply warp and weft), weft inlay jamdani technique for the rickshaw design
Brief description
Sari, sari blouse and belt, 'Cycle-rickshaw', black sari with white border, white rickshaw design and studded umbrella symbol, silk, designed by Abraham & Thakore, woven in the Nutan Fulia Tantubay Samabay Samity Ltd Co-operative, West Bengal, 2010
Physical description
Sari, 'Cycle-rickshaw' Sari, black with white border, white rickshaw design in a weft inlay jamdani technique on the pallou; studded umbrella symbol detail; black sari blouse with white appliqué motifs of cycles, lamps and mobile phones.
Dimensions
  • Length: 4.5m
  • Height: 1.2m
The 4.5 meteres is not typical of sari lengths. Abraham and Thakore have deliberatly made a shorter length so that the sari feels less bulky when worn. This is to appeal to a younger generation of women who want more figure-hugging garments.
Credit line
Given by Abraham & Thakore
Association
Summary
Abraham and Thakore are one of India's most established fashion and textile labels. Based in Delhi, they launched their label in 1992 and began primarily as an export business. Rising consumer affluence in India made them refocus their attention on the Indian market in 2007. Their first fashion ramp show was for the Autumn/Winter 2010/11 season and this sari is one of the pieces from that important collection. The concept for the show was to explore how urban women in India could wear fashionable yet traditional Indian garments as an alternative to western garments. The collection included saris and salwar kameez in simple cuts and minimal colours. This minimal black and white sari has a rickshaw design on the pallou (the section of the sari that falls over the shoulder) and is hand woven using a weft inlay jamdani technique. The sari is teamed with a fitted blouse on which there are appliquéd a number of miniature symbols of everyday life such as bicycles, lamps, umbrellas and mobile phones. A thin belt is worn over the sari to give a slim silhouette. The ensemble conveys a simple contemporary urban aesthetic.
Bibliographic reference
Miller, Lesley Ellis, and Ana Cabrera Lafuente, with Claire Allen-Johnstone, eds. Silk: Fibre, Fabric and Fashion. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 2021. ISBN 978-0-500-48065-6. This object features in the publication Silk: Fibre, Fabric and Fashion (2021)
Collection
Accession number
IS.30:1 to 3-2012

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Record createdAugust 28, 2013
Record URL
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