At first glance Pooja Hegde’s custom Anita Dongre ensemble looks like the standard six-yard staple. But the fiery red piece is, in fact, a sari gown that offers the comfort and ease of a flowy gown without sacrificing the gravitas of ceremonial wear.
As Dongre reveals, the look was instinctive, shaped around Hegde’s poised, contemporary femininity. The pre-draped sari gown takes inspiration from incandescent blooms found in nature. The colour choice offers a richer, more nuanced alternative to classic crimsons. “Layering craft traditions together, and making space for craftspeople and their generations of skill in contemporary dialogue, are what guide Anita Dongre and the team creatively. A special sari, one where femininity and strength exist in quiet harmony, and tradition feels alive, relevant and powerful,” explains the designer.
Fabric plays a pivotal part in grounding the look. Handwoven by master artisans in Banaras, the georgette base brings with it centuries of handweaving legacy and texture to the ensemble. Onto this surface, Dongre introduces her signature gota patti. Originating in Rajasthan, gota patti is a luminous yet lightweight technique, hand-cut, hand-shaped and hand-stitched in appliqué.
