A Tale of Two clusters
Benarasi Sarees for Raw Mango, 2019/2020
In 2019, as a part of my Graduation Project for NID, I worked at Raw Mango to design two collections of Benarasi and Chanderi sarees. For the Benaras collection, I used archival textiles as inspiration, to create a collection that revives the design sensibilities barely seen in commercial Benarasi sarees. I was especially intrigued by Royal textiles, as these were usually one of a kind, made specifically for the Royal family. Since Benarasi sarees are usually heavy and woven with silk and zari, these sarees would be an occasion wear collection for the Raw Mango.
Write to me to read the full development of this project here.
Reference images of Archival Textiles used as inspiration.
These sarees were entirely handwoven in Benaras on pit looms with jacquard attachments. They were also woven in the kadhua technique, as opposed to fekwa. Kadhua is a discontinuous extra weft, inserted by hand across the textile to weave motifs, and fekwa is a continuous extra weft that is trimmed at the back after the textile comes off the loom. Kadhua is a labour-intensive and time-consuming method, producing sarees with secure motifs and a neat finish, making them costly to make.
Images Of Samples
All Images are owned by Sudeshna Saxena.
The 'Chowkadi' Saree is a bestseller at Raw Mango.
Images From Official Photoshoots and Raw Mango Clients
All Images are owned by Raw Mango.
