Style Glossary
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AARI EMBROIDERY- A type of fine embroidery used in creating highly refined and elaborate floral motifs. Aari work is done using a special needle called an ‘Aar’ which is similar to a crochet needle. Aari embroidery was introduced to India by Mughal rulers in the 12th century.
ANARKALI CHURIDAR- A long empire waist tunic that falls below the knee and is worn with fitted churidar pants.
ANGRAKHA- A long sleeved tunic with a wrap V-neck front that ties at the side. Comes in short and long versions that fall above and below the knee. Variations of the angrakha are worn by both men and women and are paired with fitted churidar pants.
BEAD- A small decorative object made of glass, stone, metal, or similar material, typically rounded and pierced for threading together or sewing onto fabric.
BENARES SILK- Fabric made from finely woven silk yarn from the city of Benares (Varanasi) in Uttar Pradesh reknown for its handloom silk industry.
BOOTI- An embossed or stitched repetitive floral motif used in Indian textile design.
BROCADE- A rich silk fabric with raised patterns in gold and silver.
CHANDERI SILK- Fabric made from finely woven silk yarn from the town of Chanderi in Madya Pradesh in India. Chanderi fabrics are known for their sheer texture, light weight and a glossy transparency.
CHOLI- A short midriff baring blouse worn with a sari or lehenga.
CHURIDAR- Baggy drawstring trousers that narrow and gather tightly along the lower calf in bangle-like gathers. Worn traditionally by both women and men with a tunic or kurta.
CRINOLINE- Layers of stiff net fabric used to create volume under dresses and skirts.
DABKA- Gold wire embroidery set in a coiled, spring formation.
DUPATTA- A veil or wrap draped loosely around the upper part of the body.
GEORGETTE- A sheer lightweight fabric, often made of silk or from manufactured fibers as polyester, with a crepe surface.
GOTA- Embroidery work which involves placing strips of gold or silver zari or other colored ribbons to create elaborate pattern or weaves.
HEMLA LACE- High quality embroidered lace produced by Hemla Embroidery Mills in India.
KURTA- A loose, stitched garment worn by men and women, most commonly described as a tunic.
LEHENGA- The lehenga consists of three separate pieces: a floor length skirt paired with a waist length or slightly shorter blouse which is adorned with a dupatta or long veil. The dupatta is either worn over the shoulder or draped across the torso.
LUREX- The brand name for a type of yarn or fabric that incorporates metallic thread.
LYCRA- A trademark DuPont fiber made from elasticated yarns known for its exceptional elasticity.
NET FABRIC- A fine mesh fabric made of threads that are woven or knotted together resulting in a fabric with large open spaces between the yarns.
PALLAV- The decorated end of a sari which is draped around the torso or left loose over the shoulder.
PETTICOAT- Ankle length undergarment worn with a sari. Sari petticoats usually match the color of the sari and are made of satin or cotton.
RESHAM- Fine silk thread-work.
SARI- The traditional garment worn by women in India. It is a single piece of material measuring 6 -9 yards in length and is worn draped around the body over a choli or blouse. The sari can be worn in a variety of ways and comes in various colors and fabrics such as silk, cotton, crepe, chiffon and georgette.
SEQUIN- Small, shiny disk shaped beads made of metal or plastic sewn onto clothing for decoration.
SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL- Precisely cut crystal beads used for various types of luxury goods and manufactured by the Swarovski company of Austria.
TILLA EMBROIDERY- A metallic thread of gold and silver used as decorative surface embellishment which is stitched down with cotton thread. Tilla embroidery can be stitched in loops, in a coil form or a straight line.
TULLE- A finely woven textile that is extremely lightweight and is most often made from fibers such as silk, rayon, nylon, and sometimes cotton. The netting is woven into a mesh pattern and starched for extra stiffness.
ZARDOZI- An intricate hand embroidery technique of surface ornamentation used on a variety of fabrics using gold or silver metal threads.
ZARI- A type of thread made of fine gold or silver wire used in traditional Indian and Pakistani garments. This thread is woven into fabrics, primarily made of silk to create intricate patterns.