Stylish saris

Designers have given the sari modern interpretations to suit a young clientele, says Banalata Bipani

Designers are innovating the sari to make it more appealing to young clients. In an age where quick fixes are the way to go, it is not surprising to find people coming up with easier ways to complete tedious tasks. In case of the sari, upcoming and even established designers are giving the traditional garment more modern interpretations to suit a young clientele, which, they feel, will accept such change.

Agrees fashion maestro Homai Sagar, especially as to the point of glamour quotient: "Fashion need not be Western, but youngsters prefer to wear clothes with an influence of the West," she says, and adds: "A sari with cuts or specially crafted pallu can be sensuous, easy to wear and very chic. Normally, a pallu has a width of 45 inches, but I often cut it to 36 inches at the shoulder. It then tapers to the normal width at the fall. This looks stylish and is easier to carry."

Today every designer is trying to export the sari to woo the Gen X. With this mind, they are trying to make the sari a hassle-free garment. Says Rakhi Garg, a young executive in a bank: "Although I know how to drape a sari, to wear one without bothering about pleats and length can be fun. I would surely like to experiment. Zipping up a sari sounds exciting."

So, are these zipped saris replacing skirts and pants? "Pants are there because of the convenience factor," says Archana Rakhi of Hind Couturiers, and adds: "But I think sari is making a comeback even in offices. If it can be worn quickly and easily, then one can wear it more often."

Won't modernisation of the sari as a dress kill the grace of the garment? "Not at all. Eventually it is a sari, whether worn with a trouser or a petticoat, whether it is in three pieces or is the lehnega sari," says Archana "Essentials like pleats and pallu are maintained. We have simply made it stylish and convenient. Fashion ideas are generated from the need of the time."

Each Indian state has a distinct style of wearing the sari. By creating easy-to-wear saris the designers have simply created another style. Along with other Indian traditions, the sari, too, has gone global, albeit differently. Forget draping`85 just zip it up.

"I am making saris that are worn over pants," says Archana. "These are not the usual five-and-a-half metre-long garment but shorter. The pallu is specially draped. For these saris, either we stitch ready-to-wear pleats or the wearer can make the pleats and tuck them in. These are in demand because of their uniqueness and glamour."

Saris come with different cuts - some are pre-stitched like dresses, some have specially designed pallus, while some are worn over pants. But can saris compete with gowns and skirts in terms of global acceptance? Says fashion maestro Nisha Sagar: "I am retailing with Burlington's at the Taj. They cater mostly for international clients and a majority of my sales are here. They get the blouse made and we stitch the sari as per their specifications to spare them the ordeal of making perfect pleats. Foreigners treat the sari like any other dress."

Leather sari? When one thinks of leather, the products that come to mind are belts, bags and jackets but some innovative fashion designers are finding that leather can be put to good use in other ways, too. Saris, for example. Recently, young and dynamic fashion designer Amit Kumar Singh was on spotlight, and his latest innovation is saris in leather. To prepare a leather sari it takes at least 10 to 12 days as there is a lot of work pertaining to the selection of the leather, the designing and, ultimately, the taste of the customer has to be satisfied.  — MF