Handspun Eri silk with Kanchipuram silk

Kaanchi has two elements. The Eri silk in base and pleats. And Kanchipuram silk in drape and pallu. Eri is elegant in the drape, and subtle in appearance, and the texture of the fabric does not carry the obvious lustre that we typically associate with silk.

To this glory, I decided to introduce Kanchipuram silk to create a contrast through its sheen.

Kaanchi has an adaptable form. She can be draped in diverse styles bringing out each one’s sense of style. She will also complement well with both silver and golden.

About Eri silk:

Eri Silk is a wild silk with a woolly fibrous filament hand spun into yarn, handwoven on traditional throw shuttle looms of Assam. These are woven on looms that are simplified older looms where the basic main frame is formed using four posts or pillars dug steadfastly into the mud ground. This Eri Silk is handspun by adept spinners of Assam without using Charkha. The journey from cocoons to handspun yarn involves a spinner performing a series of steps for the appropriate treatment of cocoons that can enable hand spinning of yarn. These steps have remained unchanged through generations of the hand-spinning culture of Assam. We have retained the indigenous steps without much alteration.

Kaanchi is a one-of-a-kind textile designed to highlight a unique coming together of various techniques and creativity of handcraft. This design will not be recreated. Ahoi comes with a blouse fabric designed to encourage Mora fireflies to bring their authentic spirit to the fabrication of blouse fit, usage of borders and edgings. The blouse worn by me is not included.

Param did the beadwork 

Gurmail, the tailor

Narmohan Dada, the master Eri silk pioneer

Mumma, Madhu, technical supervision of stitching 

Midtoan.com, the photographer

Designed by Ritika