What is special about this design?
It is pure monochrome: a dense white ogee lattice on a dark top, with a bottom in the same dark shade scattered with flower motifs. The contrast is sharp and graphic, so it looks smart enough for the office, yet up close it still shows the dotted, handmade line work.
How can I add colour to a black-and-white set?
Through what you pair with it. A coloured dupatta of your own, in red, mustard or emerald, changes the whole mood, as do coloured juttis or a bright potli. Silver jewellery keeps it crisp and minimal if you prefer to stay monochrome.
Do I need anything under the kurta?
Kota Doria is a slightly sheer weave, which is what makes it so airy. A thin cotton lining stitched into the kurta, or a slip underneath, is the usual choice for full coverage, especially at work. The dupatta can stay as it is, light and sheer.
How do I stop a dark batik from fading?
Wash it gently by hand in cold water with a mild detergent, on its own, and turn it inside out. Always dry in shade, since direct sun fades hand-dyed colours over time. Iron on low heat, ideally on the reverse side.
Who crafts it?
It is made at the Indiehaat unit in Kota under master artisan Haq Nawaz. The wax is laid by hand in each section before the cloth goes into the dye, then removed to reveal the white pattern. That hand stage is why each set has its own small variations.
What is included, and in what lengths?
Unstitched top, bottom and dupatta fabric: about 2.4 to 2.5 metres each for the top and bottom, and 2.3 to 2.4 metres for the dupatta. That is enough to tailor a kurta set to your own fit and style.