Dark brown florals on light beige, framed by panelled geometric borders.
- A restrained, near-monochrome set, the quietest print in this range and the easiest to wear to work.
- Panelled borders in repeating diamonds, dashes and dots, each stamped from a separate carved block.
- Opaque katan silk that needs no lining, even in a pale beige.
The print
Small dark brown floral sprigs cover the ground in a tight repeat, with black accents deepening the darker passages. What sets the piece apart is the panelling: horizontal strips of repeating diamonds, dashes and dots that break the fabric into bands rather than letting one motif run unbroken.
Each of those bands is a separate block, aligned to the last by eye. Where a band steps a fraction out of true, that is the printer's hand and the clearest evidence the work is not machine made.
The fabric
Katan silk in a light beige with a soft lustre, opaque enough to be stitched without lining and light enough at 600 to 650 g for the three pieces that it is comfortable through a working day.
Styling
Neutral and minimal, this is the set for the office, for travel and for the days when you want silk without announcing it. Add a lining if you want a crisper, more formal kurta line. Oxidised silver or wood and brass jewellery suits the brown better than gold, and a plain brown or black stole extends it into cooler weather.
What you get
Top: 2.5 m, 44 to 45 inches wide
Bottom: 2.5 m, 44 to 45 inches wide
Dupatta: 2.5 m, 35 to 36 inches wide
Weight: 600 to 650 g for top, bottom and dupatta together
Lining: Not needed, the fabric is opaque; add one only to elevate the look
Stitching: Up to 4XL for straight kurta sets, length customisable
Care: Dry clean the first wash, then a gentle cold hand wash
Dispatch: Dispatched the next working day, even though every metre is printed by hand
Small differences in the depth of each impression and in the alignment of the panels are the marks of hand block work, not of imperfection.