India, Nila House, Kantha Smock Top in Shade 4

Product name: Kantha Smock Top in Shade 4

Type of product: Top

Description (story of the item):

The Kantha Smock Top is a much loved shape from the archives of Anna Valentine, that has been reinterpreted here by Nila using handwoven silk, natural indigo and traditional Indian hand embroidery. The entire piece is crafted from three layers of fine matte silk, hand-woven on specialised looms in Karnataka. The precious textile was then dyed in natural indigo vats in Maharashtra, dipped four times to achieve this particular shade of indigo. 

The layers of textile were pressed together and embroidered across their entire length by women in rural West Bengal, using the traditional craft of Kantha - running stitch embroidery traditionally used to create quilts out of repurposed saris. If you look closely, you will see that what seems to be a simple texture is actually a geometrically sophisticated pattern of stars in the stitch work. The embroidery is executed with skill and thoughtfulness. Each seam has been multi-stitched, leaving raw edging, which adds a deconstructed element to this graceful piece.

Materials: 100% Handwoven Silk

Measurements / size: S / M / L

Size Guide: 

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