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
Collection: Phuhaar
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.