Though the Tagores had been at the forefront of dress reform in Bengal and in devising a new form of saree and blouse suitable for appearing in public, by the time Shesher Kabita came to be written in 1928, you can sense … Continue reading
The corset is a mutilation, undergone for the purpose of lowering the subject’s vitality and rendering her permanently and obviously unfit for work. British India at times seems like a marriage of opposites, the often uncomfortable melding of extreme corsetry … Continue reading
This gallery contains 2 photos.
For more than half of the 20th century, Europe was a playground for Indian royalty. And its women were photographed by Cecil Beaton and Man Ray, snubbed Wallis Simpson, made it to the NYT’s society pages and of course set fashion trends. Of all the royals, … Continue reading
Tamara Karsavina, one of Diaghilev’s ballerinas, in the part of Nirilya/Nerilya in The Talisman. The sari doesn’t appear to have pleats and Karsavina has a body stocking underneath. And although the blouse is loose and prettily edged, its the lovely print … Continue reading
Jnanadanandini Debi was deeply influenced by the newly-introduced Parsi gara, the kind worn by Lady Bachoobai Nowroji Vakil. By the latter part of the 19th century, Parsi garas or garos—saris with Chinese embroidery in white or variegated silk threads—were introduced … Continue reading
Continuing the cycle theme, this was probably a college student on her daily commute. On a “ladies” cycle with a very low central bar. Her attire suggests pre-Independence Bengal – probably the teens/20s. They did have a lot of blouse … Continue reading
Vivan Sundaram, Retake of Amrita – Sisters, 2001 Amrita Sher-gil’s parallels with Frida Kahlo are oft commented on – self portraits, the incorporation of indigenous elements, the bisexuality, the early death, even the odd photograph with a lady moustache. … Continue reading
Lady Abbas Ali Baig by Lafayette (Lafayette Ltd), half-plate film negative, 14 May 1929. Love all the elements here – the cacophonous sari and a rather magnificent cape-shawl.
The sari influenced western attire in the early part of the 20th century to some extent – though there was no separation of the bodice and skirt as in India. Elsa Schiaparelli for e.g. was known for her “sari dresses”. I … Continue reading
Vintage Indian Clothing 