Speaking from personal experience, it’s been a hard time finding authentic Indian handloom sarees in the last decade. There were only a few brands/boutiques available, and even they had limited collections. Not many worked directly with weavers or sourced sarees from them, while there were question marks regarding the genuineness and authenticity alike. However, things have changed for the better, at least for discerning saree buyers like me. I am really fascinated by the recent trend of finding boutique saree collection with price insights. This, I feel, is the perfect fusion of tradition with contemporary shopping.
Gone are the days of physically visiting boutiques, only to be disappointed at what’s available, what’s not, lack of authenticity, and so on. This is something that really helps; I can see everything that’s available conveniently online, with clear pricing and product details. Often, the stories behind products or their methods of creation are given in such wonderful detail. I almost feel at one with the product as a result. Sounds good right? You bet!
Some Key Trends Across Curated Boutique Collections:
There are several major trends that are visible across curated boutique saree collection with price insights and other aspects. For starters, there is a solid focus on offering genuine and 100% authentic (with hallmark) Indian handloom sarees. So, from muslin silk to cotton Jamdani, there are plenty of options that are reflective of the rich cultural heritage of Indian handlooms. Secondly, most of these boutiques have their own teams of artisans or weavers, while some work directly with them, or source sarees from them. This has naturally boosted employment and revenue generation for these communities, contributing towards keeping these artistic traditions alive across generations.
Thirdly, there has been a major shift towards sustainability and slow fashion. Each handloom saree is unique and goes through a lengthy weaving procedure that may range from days to weeks. Customers are being encouraged by these boutiques to embrace this way of indulging in modern fashion. It has raised the profile of Indian handlooms, to say the least. Some other trends in this category include minimalist designs for handloom sarees, with subtle yet elegant borders and motifs that come in softer shades like peach, ivory, and mint green, to name a few. Multiple vibrant and bold colors are also being used for sarees, including electric blue, deep maroon, mustard yellow, and more. Eco-friendly, sustainable, and breathable materials like organic cotton are also being prioritized, while being ethically produced at the same time.
Traditional Indian handlooms are also being upgraded with contemporary design touches, including geometric stripes, grids, and geometric patterns. Hand-painted sarees, rare weavers, tie-dyeing techniques, subtle metallics, and a focus on preserving heritage are some of the other themes that are visible across modern boutiques.
Where to Buy the Best Curated Boutique Collections in Kolkata:
There are several brands and boutiques in Kolkata that offer curated collections of handlooms. However, I have seen myself, being a saree researcher (explains my inputs above), general academic, and connoisseur, that nothing really compares to a boutique that I was referred to by a friend, namely Tamal Boutique. They have an excellent collection of Indian handlooms, including Matka Silk, Muslin Silk, Organza Silk, Tussar Silk, Pure Cotton, Pure Silk, Pure Linen, Pure Tissue, and Silk Cotton.
That’s not all; some other crown jewels in their collection include Bishnupuri-Swarnachari Silk, Fulia Cotton, Cotton Jamdani, Batik Silk & Hand-Painted Sarees, Dhakai Jamdani, and Mulberry Silk Sarees. Phew! That’s quite a list! The boutique directly works with skilled artisans and weavers, thereby ensuring the preservation of these ancient techniques of creation, sustainable and slow fashion practices, and better growth for these communities. At the same time, you also get fairer prices due to this approach. Trust me when I say that it’s quite reasonable in comparison to many other so-called platforms who don’t even work directly with the skilled creators of these marvelous Indian handloom sarees.
You’ll find genuine fabrics and prompt support, along with transparent and timely updates regarding the status of production (which, as we know, may vary at times due to several factors). So, you can consider making the leap from mass-produced fashion to Indian handlooms (like I did several years ago), adding a special dimension to your wardrobe, and of course, doing your bit to keep these traditions alike. I welcome the curated boutique trend with everything transparently shown online. It has only made things smoother and simpler for buyers like me.