Gurkha Brown Pure Silk Kota Doria Handdyed Saree

Who made it?

It is handcrafted at the IndieHaat unit in Kota, Rajasthan, under master artisan Haq Nawaz, and the colour is applied by hand dyeing. Kota is the town Kota doria is named after, so the saree comes from the home of the weave.

How sheer is it?

It is a light, sheer fabric, which is how Kota doria is meant to be. Wear a well-matched petticoat in fine cotton so the pleats look clean, and choose a full-length one for office wear.

What is the border like?

The border is a coral ombre band finished with a fine gold zari edge. The coral picks up the warm hem, and the gold adds a fine metallic finishing line to the drape without adding any weight.

What do the colours look like?

It is a two-tone saree. The sheer body is a soft khaki-olive, and towards the hem it fades into a warm coral-orange ombre band, blending softly where the two meet. A gold zari edge finishes the border. Because the dyeing is done by hand, the exact point where the shades blend varies a little from piece to piece.

How do I keep it looking neat?

Change the folds regularly when it is stored and air it in dry weather, so lines don't settle. A quick press on low heat before wearing smooths it out, and pinning the pleats keeps the light Kota drape neat through the day.

How do I care for it?

Dry clean only. Store it folded in its own bag in a dry place, refold it regularly so permanent lines do not form, and air it in dry weather. If it ever gets damp, dry it in the shade.