Music exists in the smallest, most ordinary moments, whether during travel, cooking, or even the silence or the little pauses in between. No wonder this universal language of connection finds its way into fashion, inspiring designers to introduce silhouettes based on different genres of music. Designer Suhani Gurnani does just that with her stunning collection, Taal, born from a deep reverence for India, its textiles, and rich handcraft traditions.
Before running us through the details of the new drop, Suhani speaks about her never-ending love for chikankari. “Rooted in the timeless art of chikankari, we reinterpret heritage through modern tailoring and fluid, global silhouettes that feel relevant today yet enduring in spirit,” she explains. Her connection to this art is deeply intertwined with her bond with Lucknow, the birthplace of the craft itself. “The city’s beauty lies in its softness, language, mannerisms, pace, and attention to detail. This specific hand-embroidery style reflects that same spirit,” she shares. What also fascinates Suhani is that chikankari talks about human touch, patience, devotion, and skill passed down through generations.
Speaking about her latest drop, the designer shares, “Much like the taal in music, where repetition and pause create harmony, this edit plays with rhythm through embroidery placement, and the flow of fabric.” More than striving for perfection, it celebrates synchrony, and that’s special.
Taal features georgette, chiffon, organza and silk. The colour palette takes inspiration from ivories and beiges, with earthy tones like peach, British rose and sage green. “The chikankari itself showcases a wide versatility of traditional techniques such as bakhiya, hath-kati, murri, keel kangan and bijli holes, all executed entirely by hand using ek taar,” Suhani tells us.
Jaali patterns highlighted with kasab thread add texture and movement, while linear stitch placements and rhythmic motifs draw inspiration from sound waves and musical symmetry. Indeed, all this handwork add an extraordinary level of intricacy to the outfits making them perfect for a variety of occasions.
Jaali anarkali with a jewelled neckline is a must-try. Suhani says, “What makes it stand out is the intricately balanced kasab jaali and ek-taar chikankari, crafted on the traditional jaali ka phal motif.”
Also, the Ivory lehenga paired with a gold-embellished zardozi blouse and dupatta makes a statement. It features a dramatic 46-kali ghera, brought to life through a nuanced interplay of ivory and gold-toned resham chikankari. The ensemble is further elevated with age-old zardozi techniques using sadi and dabka, creating depth, texture, and grandeur.
Prices start at Rs 1,00,000.
Available online.
Mail ID: sakshisuresh.k@newindianexpress.com
Twitter: @kaithwas_sakshi
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