By Sikha Thakur
Renowned French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent had said fashions fade, style is eternal.
It’s a decade-old debate – what’s the difference between fashion and style. Now, fashion is something which one buys, but style is cherished – something which stays. Fashion may come and go, but the style remains. If styled properly, it brings out the true personality.
Indians are known for their diverse culture and dress code. The traditional attire separates from one state to another. In fact, even UNESCO has admired traditional Indian attire.
Saree is the one traditional Indian attire which is seen being worn by the women of North and South India. It enjoys the worldwide popularity. UNESCO has praised its valuable contribution to the world’s cultural heritage and diversity. However, given every region has its unique specialty, the design of the sarees changes, thus adding extra zing and style to this nine-yard.
Not many know but it was Jnanadanandini Devi, the wife of Rabindranath Tagore’s elder brother Satyendranath, who came up with this modern way of draping a saree.
World-renowned fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee at Harvard University’s India Conference 2018 said, “I think if you tell me that you do not know how to wear a sari, it not a matter of pride. It’s not just part of your culture, it’s our identity, you need to stand up for it.” Sabyasachi has his own fashion designer store and his sarees are worn by Bollywood beauties.
Meanwhile, the 2000-year old traditional method of weaving Paithani sarees, where weavers use pure gold threads and yarns of silk Paithan in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra has kept alive the several varieties of this Indian ethnic attire.
“Men and women of this generation are trying very hard to adopt something that is not their part,” said Mukherjee. “Your clothing should connect you to your roots and be a part of who you are.”
The couturier had then credited Indian women for keeping the saree alive, but declared that the ‘dhoti is dead.’