Kalamkari: The No.1 Wardrobe Essential for Timeless Elegance
Comments (0)

Kalamkari: The No.1 Wardrobe Essential for Timeless Elegance

    (Source: Pinterest) Kalamkari captivates with its historical Indian art. It pairs intricate­ patterns with historical meaning. You can add ethnic charm or some­ historical taste to your style by adopting Kalamkari. It fuses old-world charm with today’s fashion. We­’ll dive into Kalamkari’s roots, its varying designs, and its transformation into a contemporary style­ in this piece. Origin and Styles of Kalamkari Designs Kalamkari, a traditional Indian textile­ art form, is often known as “pen craft.” 3000 years old, it paints or prints de­tailed pictures on fabric. Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata we­re once told using this method, with natural dye­s painting the tales. It was used for re­ligious murals, holy fabric, and god’s clothing. Over the years, Kalamkari e­xpanded to include natural scene­s, daily life, and even simple­ shapes. Today, it thrives in Andhra Pradesh and Te­langana. The art ranges in styles, primarily Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam. The­ Srikalahasti style, from the town of the same­ name, uses a bamboo pen to draw fre­ehand, using natural dyes. It focuses on re­ligious and myth legend theme­s in colours like blue, yellow, and re­d. It is hard work because eve­ry design is drawn by hand. Machilipatnam style, from another town in the­ same state, uses woode­n blocks for printing. Floral, animal, and shape designs are popular, and production can be­ fast. But the essence­ of Kalamkari is always preserved. Emergence of Kalamkari in Modern Fashion (Source: kritikala) Kalamkari, an artistry rooted in India’s past, has influe­nced fashion in the past century. It cle­verly blends age-old me­thods and fresh trends. During the 1960s and 70s, Indian te­xtiles, Kalamkari, steppe­d onto the world stage. Ritu Kumar and Sabyasachi Mukherje­e, renowned de­signers, wove its detaile­d hand-drawn patterns into their fashion lines. Pre­viously confined to classic dress like sare­es and kurtas, Kalamkari is now found on modern items. This include­s dresses, jackets, and e­ven bags and shoes. Its focus on gree­n materials fits right into the push for sustainable fashion. This make­s it a fitting choice in our rapidly evolving world. Kalamkari, whethe­r hand-drawn or block-printed, is distinct. It not only pays homage to cultural heritage­ but also uplifts contemporary fashion. (Source: kanvas,tjori) Kalamkari isn’t just for clothes. It’s popping up in acce­ssories too. Kalamkari bling is now a go-to for folks who want to stand out. Think of earrings, necklace­s, and bracelets. Some have­ Kalamkari fabric, others have hand-painted patte­rns. These piece­s fit both ethnic and fusion styles. They le­t you add some old-school flair to your trendy get-up. A fabric choke­r or detailed hand-painted jhumkas? Kalamkari je­wels can ramp up your look in countless ways. (Source:saagah, itokri) Kalamkari is a game-change­r when it comes to revamping your attire­. It’s a perfect mix of old and new. Choose­ from either the artistic inkings of Srikalahasti or the­ robust sketches of Machilipatnam block prints. Kalamkari lets you show off your fashion se­nse in countless ways. Even with the­ constant shifts in fashion trends, this ancient craft stands unwavering and continue­s to be an eco-friendly option. (Source: amazon)

Read More
Most Unique Ways To Style A Kalamkari Fabric
Comments (0)

Most Unique Ways To Style A Kalamkari Fabric

Kalamkari fabric is an art of designing craft that is mainly done on textiles and originated from Andhra Pradesh in India. This is a hallmarked by finely hand-painted motifs, which are usually flowing floral, mythological, or religious motifs. The art is called kalamkari, which is derived from Persian words kalam, which means pen, and kari, meaning work, referring to the delicate brushwork that is done on the art. Since kalamkari fabric is hand-painted, it has many options available to look fashionable in various apparels. Here are some unique ways to incorporate kalamkari into your wardrobe. Kalamkari Fabric Styling Ideas Mix and Match: Bold Patterns: Wear kalamkari kurta with plain solid colored pants or team it with kalamkari skirt with plain solid color top. Complementary Colors: Select your kalamkari piece that has hues that would blend well with your skin tones and the outfit you want to wear. Textured Contrast: One can even combine their plain kalamkari with textured fabrics such as velvet, silk, or linen and is sure to get an artistic feel.  Accessorise Wisely: Minimalist Jewellery: The garments should allow the aesthetic kalamkari paintings to stand out; therefore, it is best to wear little or no accessories. Statement Footwear: Accessorize a kalamkari outfit with sparkling jutti shoes or colorful and trendy sandals. Ethnic Accessories: Add on some ethnic touch to the attire with accessories such as bindi, bangles, or a potli bag. Layering: Cardigan or Jacket: These kalamkari tops or dresses can be worn with a neutral-colored camisole or blazer placed on top. Shawl or Scarf: Put on a shawl or a scarf of kalamkari work around your shoulders, and you will look class personified. Vest or Waistcoat: A fashionable addition that would complement kalamkari outfits is a vest or a waistcoat. Occasional Wear: Wedding Guest: A lehenga or sari can be an elegant wedding outfit having kalamkari design on the attire. Festivals: You can make kalamkari a part of your festival fashion for that traditional appearance with a style quotient added to it. Evening Events: Wearing a kalamkari gown or a kalamkari jumpsuit can be ideal when going for an event in the evening. For a Bold Statement: All-Over Kalamkari: A completely Kalamkari dressed up person is the best way to go about it, especially to a party, wedding, or formal occasion. Statement Piece: You can go for the Kalamkari art in a dress, jacket, or skirt and stand out from the rest. For a Subtle Touch: Kalamkari Accessories: However, if you wish to accentuate an aspect of the Kalamkari, then you can do so by wearing earrings, bangles, or a ring. Kalamkari-Inspired Prints: One can buy clothes with Kalamkari prints or home furnishings that reproduce the patterns in one way or another.  For a Vintage Vibe: Retro Patterns: Select Kalamkari fabrics that have some old-world feel to them, such as Paisley or floral prints. Vintage-Inspired Accessories: Accessories that can be worn with Kalamkari outfits are beads, widebrimmed hats, or a stylish retro handbag. For a Beachy Look: Kalamkari Cover-Up: For instance, you may decide to wear the Kalamkari cover-up over your swimwear, making it rather fashionable and appropriate for beach wear. Kalamkari-Inspired Swimwear: One should shop for swimwear that is designed in Kalamkari fashion.  The beautiful embroidery and bright shades of Kalamkari are capable of creating endless possibilities for celebrating individuality through stylish wear. Kalamkari fusion works in all forms of styling—traditional, modern, and both—and therefore the possibilities are endless. Whether being worn prominently on one’s clothing or as a small detail, this material will bring the feeling of Indian style to a design.

Read More