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Floral Fantasy

Shraddha Kapoor effortlessly blends Indian and Western elements to create fusion saree looks that are both stylish and unconventional. She has been seen pairing sarees with crop tops, blazers, or even denim jackets for a contemporary twist…reports Asian Lite News

Sarees have traditionally represented elegance and grace in Indian fashion, and Bollywood superstars such as Shraddha Kapoor have been spotted wearing exquisite saree ensembles that inspire millions. With her impeccable style and flair, Shraddha effortlessly carries off sarees with poise and charm.

Check out the top five saree styles of the actress from the film ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ that you may replicate to add a touch of Bollywood glitter to your wardrobe.

Traditional Elegance: Shraddha Kapoor’s traditional saree looks often feature timeless elegance and grace. She has been spotted in classic silk sarees adorned with intricate embroidery or rich zari work. To recreate this look, opt for a silk saree in vibrant colors like red, green, or royal blue. Pair it with traditional jewelry such as jhumkas, bangles, and a statement necklace to complete the regal ensemble.

Contemporary Chic: Shraddha Kapoor also embraces contemporary saree styles with panache. She experiments with modern silhouettes, unique drapes, and unconventional fabrics. To channel her contemporary chic vibe, try a pre-draped saree or a saree gown in soft pastel hues or monochrome tones. Accessorize with sleek accessories and minimalist jewelry for a sophisticated yet trendy look.

Floral Fantasy: Floral sarees are a favorite among Bollywood celebrities, and Shraddha Kapoor is no exception. She often opts for sarees featuring delicate floral prints or intricate floral embroidery. To recreate her floral fantasy look, choose a lightweight georgette or chiffon saree or a saree made of a Liva Fabric adorned with floral motifs. Pair it with subtle makeup, soft curls, and floral accessories for a feminine and romantic vibe.

Fusion: Shraddha Kapoor effortlessly blends Indian and Western elements to create fusion saree looks that are both stylish and unconventional. She has been seen pairing sarees with crop tops, blazers, or even denim jackets for a contemporary twist.

Minimalistic Magic: Sometimes, less is more, and Shraddha Kapoor’s minimalistic saree looks are a testament to that. She opts for simple yet elegant sarees in muted tones like ivory, beige, or blush pink. To recreate her minimalistic magic, choose a lightweight saree with clean lines and subtle embellishments. Pair it with dainty jewelry, a sleek bun, and a subtle makeup look for understated sophistication.

ALSO READ-Embrace Tradition with Straavi’s Festive Saree Collection

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Embrace Tradition with Straavi’s Festive Saree Collection

Banarasi silk sarees are known for their rich and intricate zari work. The festive and vibrant colors, along with the gold or silver brocade, make them a perfect choice for Makar Sankranti and Pongal celebrations…reports Asian Lite News

 As a new year dawns, the spirit of festivities surrounds us with new aspirations and joys to unfold in terms of new beginnings.

Sarees are such a beautiful medium to celebrate these festivities through, each saree having so much meaning attached to them. It is a symbol of our rich heritage and the multi cultural environment we are surrounded with.

With festivals like Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lori commencing, here are our top five saree recommendations from Straavi to embrace the festivities in its full spirits.

Bandhani Sarees

Bandhani sarees are a beautiful representation of traditional Indian craftsmanship and are cherished for their cultural significance and aesthetic appeal. They remain popular choices for women who appreciate the artistry and vibrant colors associated with this traditional tie-and-dye technique.

Banarasi Sarees

Banarasi silk sarees are known for their rich and intricate zari work. The festive and vibrant colors, along with the gold or silver brocade, make them a perfect choice for Makar Sankranti and Pongal celebrations.

Kanjeevaram Sarees

Kanjeevaram sarees are characterized by their lustrous silk and intricate zari work. These sarees often feature vibrant colors and traditional motifs, making them an excellent choice for Pongal festivities.

Organza Sarees

Organza sarees are elegant and lightweight traditional Indian sarees that are crafted from organza fabric. Organza is a sheer and crisp material, often made from silk or a synthetic blend, which gives the saree a delicate and luxurious appearance. These sarees are popular for various occasions due to their sheer elegance factor and versatility.

Ikkat Sarees

The unique craftsmanship and cultural significance of Ikkat sarees make them a cherished choice among those who appreciate handwoven textiles with a rich history. Ikkats are traditional handwoven textiles that are characterised by their distinctive patterns created through the resist dyeing technique.

ALSO READ-Silk Sarees Steal the Spotlight in Pongal Wardrobes

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Discover the Beauty of India’s Diverse Sarees

India is the country where the batik saree was first created, but the art of making them has developed much beyond mere handicraft…reports Olivia Sarkar

The Indian sari is considered to be one of the world’s oldest still-in-use types of apparel with a nearly 5,000-year history. The word “sari” from Sanskrit for “strip of fabric.” However, for the Indian women who have enveloped themselves in silk, cotton, or linen for millennia, these expanses of fabric constitute more than just clothing. They are symbols of national pride, representatives of traditional craftsmanship and design, and an ideal illustration of India’s variety.

There are about 30 different types of sarees in India, each with its own distinctive variant that exudes beauty. As a result, we are gathering some well-known sarees from all around India.

Ashavali saree from Gujarat

Woven with silk Intricate brocade work known as kinkhwab, which is created with metallic gold and silver threads known as zari, is featured on Gujarati Ashavali sarees. The Ashavali is named after Ahmedabad, which was formerly known as Ashaval and has been a major hub for brocade and silk weaving from at least the fourteenth century. It is often referred to as the Amdavadi or Amdavadi zari saree.

Banarasi saree from Uttar Pradesh

In most parts of India, the bridal trousseau must include a benarasi saree because they are significant to Indian culture. The bride dons at least one magnificent and auspicious Banarasi sari during the wedding rites. While many North Indian and Bengali women wear this as their wedding sari, for others it may serve as a reception sari or be the one special garment they get as shagun (the auspicious wedding gift) from their in-laws.

Bandhani saree from Rajasthan

The Hindi/Sanskrit words “Bandhna” and “Bandha,” which denote “tying” or “to knot,” are the source of the word “bandhani.” It takes a lot of talent to practice bandhani art. The method entails dyeing a fabric that has been firmly knotted with a thread in numerous locations, producing a variety of designs depending on how the cloth is tied, such as Chandrakala, Bavan Baug, Shikari, and so on. The main colors utilized in Bandhana are yellow, red, blue, green, and black.

Batik saree from West Bengal

India is the country where the batik saree was first created, but the art of making them has developed much beyond mere handicraft. Batik was originally considered an acceptable occupation for aristocratic women because the delicately painted designs, which often featured bird and flower motifs, were perceived as a sign of refinement and cultivation, much like superb needlework was. Waxing, dying, and dewaxing (the removal of the wax) are the three steps in the creation of a batik saree. “Batik” literally translates to “wax writing.”

Bomkai saree from Odisha

A specifically woven saree from the western region of Orissa is called a “Bomkai Silk,” also known as “Sonepuri Silk.” It is one of Odisha’s oldest textiles. Bomkai is referred to as “Bandha” locally. It has been an element of Orissan culture since 600 B.C.This fabric was originally and traditionally woven with a coarse, thick, and brightly colored low-count cotton yarn. On a pit loom, it is best defined as an additional weft technique.

Chanderi saree from Madhya Pradesh

A little village called Chanderi is located in the Vindhyachal mountain ranges near the Betwa River. Due to its advantageous location in central India, Chanderi, a city in Madhya Pradesh’s Ashoknagar district, is known for its long history and flourishes with active commerce. The name Chanderi means “the city of looms.” The history of Chanderi seems to be connected to Chanderi silk sarees.

Kanjeevaram saree from Tamil Nadu

Kanjeevaram, one of the most exquisite sarees in the world, gets its name from Kanchipuram, where it first appeared. Another term for this gorgeous fabric is Kanchipuram. These alluring sarees are made of strong fabric and a wonderful color scheme. Gold-accented Kanjeevaram sarees are perfect for any occasion or celebration.

Paithani saree from Maharashtra

The royal dynasty of Paithan, a medieval town close to Aurangabad, is where the Paithani sari’s ancient roots may be traced. The sari, which bears the name of the town, is considered to have been made from the finest silk threads imported from China and locally woven pure zari. Each piece of this sari is defined by the extravagant and abundant use of gold, as well as floral and bird-inspired motifs, which signify years of excess and the elegance of Indian handloom. The indigenous Bangalore silk strands used to create the modern saris by Paithan and Yeol are imported zari from Surat.

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750 Indian-origin women take part in ‘Saree Walkathon’  

Vinita Shri, a developmental pediatrician from Chhattisgarh, graced an Adivasi-inspired saree, amplifying their voice and embodying their identity…reports Asian Lite News

The streets of London donned vibrant hues of India as 750 Indian-origin women paraded from the iconic Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square as part of a ‘Saree Walkathon’. They adorned state-specific sarees to mark National Handloom Day.

The procession was the brainchild of ‘British Women In Sarees’, conceived during August’s heritage month to honor National Handloom Day.

“On August 6, under the radiant sun, 750 of us, joined by 70 marshals, congregated in Central London. The streets reverberated with the chants of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ accompanied by melodies of popular songs,” recounted Dipti Jain, founder of British Women in Sarees.

“The entire area was alive with celebratory voices, commemorating National Handloom Day through the Saree Walkathon. Central London came alive with a sea of colorful sarees, representing diverse Indian states, uniting in joy and revelry,” she added.

“We aim to enhance the lives of our country’s artisans, with each woman contributing in her own way. The proceeds beyond event costs will benefit two artisans, one in South India and the other in Kolkata. Our commitment remains steadfast,” said Rashmi Mishra, founder of Indian Women in the UK.

Representatives from each Indian state held placards, donning weaves that epitomised their regions. “Just as a saree is woven from thousands of threads, this walkathon is the culmination of thousands of women uniting to represent India in the UK,” said Rakhi Singh, who was representing Rajasthan. She donned a leharia-bandhni saree with gota-patti work.

Nivedita, representing Karnataka, donned a 60-year-old Molakalmuru saree, that takes 4-5 weeks to weave. “This was a cherished gift from my grandmother. Wearing it is a tribute to her memory on the anniversary of her passing,” she shared emotionally.

Vinita Shri, a developmental pediatrician from Chhattisgarh, graced an Adivasi-inspired saree, amplifying their voice and embodying their identity.

Saree styles from India, like Kantha, Baluchari, Chanderi, Benarasi, Maheshwari, and more, were showcased.

The walkathon culminated at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square, facing the British Parliament.

ALSO READ-Saree walkathon in London on National Handloom Day

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Saree on the red carpet in Dubai

Kamal realised that there was a group of people waiting for someone to lead the way and embrace their desi attitude. That’s when she decided to form a Desi toli, a group that would support and encourage each other to proudly showcase their culture in all aspects of their lives…reports Asian Lite News

Kamal, who is known as Desibychoice on social media platforms, has been sashaying her saree on the Dubai scene for the past couple of years. She has experimented with more than 200 different drapes using six and nine-yard sarees. Her go-to garment is always the saree, whether it’s for a grocery run or a red-carpet event. She embraces her desi mood everywhere she goes.

In the early days, Kamal would receive raised eyebrows and questions about her Desi attire at social gatherings. However, over time, those same people started joining her and became comfortable wearing desi clothes without any specific theme or occasion.

Kamal realised that there was a group of people waiting for someone to lead the way and embrace their desi attitude. That’s when she decided to form a Desi toli, a group that would support and encourage each other to proudly showcase their culture in all aspects of their lives.

Two years ago, Kamal formed a group called Desibychoiceindubai, also known as The Desi Toli. The group now has almost 200 members and has organised around 40 meets at various locations. They have showcased their desi mood on beaches, deserts, nightclubs, cafes, and restaurants. The common thread that binds them is their desipan—their love for their cultural heritage.

Kamal, a corporate boss lady, confidently wears her six-yard saree even in the boardroom. By accepting and embracing her culture and leading by example, she empowers others in her toli to accept and flaunt their desi attitude. Now that the world is becoming more accepting, why should we, as Desis, continue to shy away from our centuries-old garments?

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Its not at all traditional anymore

Sarees are no longer merely traditional Indian clothing. Experimenting with the saree to get the perfect and unique look has given rise to new quirky trends and revived the appearance of this classic Indian garment. Let’s have a look at some interesting and fun saree ideas…reports N. LOTHUNGBENI HUMTSOE

Belt it

Belt saris are popular these days. Simply put on your saree as usual and add a belt that cinches around your waist at your pallu. A Kamar bandh could be worn instead of the belt for a more traditional look.

Dhoti style

This is another saree design that is gaining popularity due to its distinct appearance. It differs from a traditional saree in that the bottom has a dhoti-style weaving, and a legging must be worn inside instead of a petticoat.

Mermaid-inspired

A lovely drapery technique that spreads out the lower half of the pleats to resemble a mermaid’s tail. This saree appears to need a lot of effort, yet all it requires are a few more tucks and pleats.

The Saree with pants

In addition to its flashy appearance, a saree with a pant design is also incredibly comfortable. It is great if you want to stand out throughout the wedding season!

Pallu in front

In this saree style, the pallu is worn back to front rather than front to back. This pallu pattern stands out without compromising the saree’s individuality.

Gown style, pre-stitched

If you want to pull off this style effectively, you must have a killer blouse. You can experiment with your blouse as much as you want with the pre-stitched gown design. Consider embellishments such as sequins, a net, a jacket-style bodice or a peplum-style bodice.

Placing a brooch on a saree

If you want to present your best face in terms of styling, go a slightly different route. Get a trendy brooch and pin it to your pallu for a fashionable look.

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Fashion Lite Blogs

Its not at all traditional anymore

Sarees are no longer merely traditional Indian clothing. Experimenting with the saree to get the perfect and unique look has given rise to new quirky trends and revived the appearance of this classic Indian garment. Let’s have a look at some interesting and fun saree ideas…reports N. LOTHUNGBENI HUMTSOE

Belt it

Belt saris are popular these days. Simply put on your saree as usual and add a belt that cinches around your waist at your pallu. A Kamar bandh could be worn instead of the belt for a more traditional look.

Dhoti style

This is another saree design that is gaining popularity due to its distinct appearance. It differs from a traditional saree in that the bottom has a dhoti-style weaving, and a legging must be worn inside instead of a petticoat.

Mermaid-inspired

A lovely drapery technique that spreads out the lower half of the pleats to resemble a mermaid’s tail. This saree appears to need a lot of effort, yet all it requires are a few more tucks and pleats.

The Saree with pants

In addition to its flashy appearance, a saree with a pant design is also incredibly comfortable. It is great if you want to stand out throughout the wedding season!

Pallu in front

In this saree style, the pallu is worn back to front rather than front to back. This pallu pattern stands out without compromising the saree’s individuality.

Gown style, pre-stitched

If you want to pull off this style effectively, you must have a killer blouse. You can experiment with your blouse as much as you want with the pre-stitched gown design. Consider embellishments such as sequins, a net, a jacket-style bodice or a peplum-style bodice.

Placing a brooch on a saree

If you want to present your best face in terms of styling, go a slightly different route. Get a trendy brooch and pin it to your pallu for a fashionable look.

ALSO READ-‘It has been everyone’s dream to make this’

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Celebrity drapes to up your style game

Draping our favourite saris gives us immense joy, but we often tire wearing it the same way time and again. Here are some celebrity drapes to try for best styling…writes Olivia Sarkar


The Mumtaz

This retro style was made popular by actor Mumtaz and is a great festive look for a sexy chiffon saree with a bling border.

The Cape Drape

A matching cape teamed with a sari is draping technique which adds pizazz to your look. Choose your desired saree and look for a cape that has been stitched so that you can dress it up.

The Pant-Saree

Saree pants are a trendy look that we can’t get enough of. It’s chic and neutral, and it’s aimed at fashionistas who want to stand outs.

The Angrakha Drape

Inspired by Mughal garments, this striking way of draping a Royal Angrakha is not only in fashion but stunning!

Dhoti Style Drape

Not only does a dhoti drape look great with winter blazers and jackets, its a comfortable and high fashion way to glam up a look.

Neck Wrap Style

You can wrap the pallu around your neck or wear it like a trendy scarf. Combine this with a handwoven piece to give the saree a modern twist.

The Belted Drape

All you need for this look is a statement belt to cinch your waist. It adds a modern and edgy twist to the traditional saree look.

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Let’s go back to sarees in this festive season

Kanchipuram’s weavers are considered to be descendants of the sage Markanda (the master weaver of Gods). A Kanjivaram saree is your finest pick for any festive event…writes Anshul Gupta.

The festive season in the post-pandemic era has brought in new hopes and optimism. After almost two years people have now gradually started to organise festive gathering which spreads cheer.

Festivity and traditional clothing go hand in hand. As per customs, sarees are the favorite choice for Indian women, especially during the festivity as it showcases the elegance and grandeur of every woman.

Owing to the high demand for sarees there is a wide variety of saree options that are available in the market, starting form chiffon, silk to georgette, kanjivaram, and more. Every state in India has a different saree style that they follow, however, in the current times with the ever-expanding intercultural connect, women have now begun to create their own styles and trends.

Here are some of the trendiest traditional saree styles for this festive season:

Gara saree

A traditional Parsi Gara’s timeless charm is unmistakable. The Gara sari, which is embroidered with photorealistic perfection, is a one-of-a-kind item among the country’s vast array of crafts. The magnificent style, which is mostly worn by the Parsi community for weddings and special celebrations, should not be kept hidden away for special occasions, and one should wear them in the festive season to.

Petit Point embroidery


Petit point embroidery is a type of canvas embroidery that is comparable to cross-stitch embroidery but finer due to its smaller scale. At normal viewing distance, the squareness and regularity of the outlines of the forms represented are less visible. The stitch is stitched in diagonal or horizontal rows across the intersection of the canvas threads and is also known as petit point or tent stitch. To guarantee that the thread pull at the front is consistent, the thread is brought back from stitch to stitch in a uniform manner. This beautiful and intricate pattern on sarees is what adds to the grace in your festive look.

Kanjivaram Sarees

The grandeur of Kanjivaram sarees is well-known. Weavers from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, south India, designed these sarees. Dip the silk threads in melted gold and silver to include the gold in the designs. Kanchipuram’s weavers are considered to be descendants of the sage Markanda (the master weaver of Gods). A Kanjivaram saree is your finest pick for any festive event.

Ikat Sarees

Ikat sarees are distinguished by the fact that the warp and weft are tie-dyed before weaving. Ikat or Sambalpuri sarees are other names for tie-dye sarees. During the tie-dye process, the knots in the beautifully woven saree are tied into the fabric. Odisha is where these sarees are manufactured (Sambalpur). The workmanship on these sarees is truly outstanding.

Bandhani Sarees

Bandhani sarees are named from the word ‘Bandhan’ which means tying a knot. The fabric of these sarees is tied in a particular way before dyeing the fabric which gives them the desired design. Bandhani sarees are extremely popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan as these states manufacture the most authentic Bandhani outfits. Bright colours in the Bandhani print makes it an apt choice for festivities.

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Beena Kannan’s experiment in luxury silk

The designer held a fashion show in Kochi, Kerala, to launch her new label ‘Beena Kannan’. Top models sashayed on the ramp, wearing the collection that comprises sarees, lehengas, crop and long jackets, kaftans, dresses, etc…writes Puja Gupta.

Beena Kannan is a notable name in the fashion industry for several years. Having spent over forty years in the industry designing sarees for her Kerala-based brand Seematti, designer Beena Kannan is all set to launch India’s first luxury silk inspired haute couture label.

With this move, Kannan aims to change the notion that Kanjeevaram silk is only for sarees. Her new namesake brand, includes Indian, Indo-western and western outfits made either of silk or with a touch of it.

The designer held a fashion show in Kochi, Kerala, to launch her new label ‘Beena Kannan’. Top models sashayed on the ramp, wearing the collection that comprises sarees, lehengas, crop and long jackets, kaftans, dresses, etc.

Kannan has used different weaving techniques from across the country to do the label’s first lineup, based on three mood boards to cater the likings of Gen Z and millennials, among others.

Kannan has combined the Byzantine era with Indian Geometric art; the Art Deco period with Jamiwar and Ottoman art with Mughal styles. She has adopted famous paintings of Vincent van Gogh and S.H. Raza on to her sarees.

However, it is very difficult to create such art on weaving, she says. “Even machines cannot take the 40,000 hooks and 60,000 hooks that we handle.”

Additionally, getting modern designs weaved by artisans who otherwise work on traditional weaves and techniques is also not very easy, she says.

“The artisans were never ready to do innovative things, because it’s a very time consuming, money consuming and is a hard process. It’s very difficult for them to get into innovation, get into new designs because Kanjeevaram has certain limitations. It’s considered very religious and very much attached to the Hindu wedding. So they thought believe the scope of this weaving is very limited,” she tells.

“When I talked to them, they asked me who’s going to buy it. If it’s a simple saree, it can be made in five days, and my designs sometimes take three months to be ready. But we pay them accordingly. Some of our saris even cost more than our selling price. But we do it because it needs to be done. That’s how we think, that’s where we are positioning ourselves,” asserts Kannan, who made into Guinness Book of Records and Limca Book of Records in 2007 for making the longest-ever silk saree.

Unlike Seematti, which is a 120-year-old retail brand, every bit of the outfits in the new label is custom-made, she clarifies. “There are clothes which will be fitting in all occasions in your life.”

Label Beena Kannan will see garments made with various silk weaving techniques and technologies in India which will be inspired by her travel across the globe.

She says: “The entire silk industry was revolving around modular designs, say X+Y+Z or Y+X+Z. But we are reinventing the procedure of the weaving. Today, customers need light weighted outfits, a particular zari etc. So we do a lot of experiments. I have done weaving in organza, linen and raw silk to make sarees. I have combined weaving in silk, printing in silk and embroidery in silk for occasion wear and accessories also.”

“Everything we want is not available in the market and we are adjusting and celebrating with what is out there But I don’t want the Kanjeevaram deteriorate. Already the weaver’s community is deteriorating, and the enthusiasm which the seniors have, maybe the juniors won’t have, maybe they are looking out for collared jobs. But there are certain people who can be with me. So I train them to work for us.”

Kannan, will launch the brand with a 17,500 sqft store in Kerala, and plans to expand it across the world in the next three years. This year, they plan to open five stores in Delhi, Bombay, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, plus two flagships stores. There are plans to hold trunk shows across cities, with altered designs that suit the taste of each place.

The brand is open for collaborations and looking to give franchisees across the country and internationally.

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