India is home to some of the finest traditional embroideries, craftsmanship, creativity, and intricacy in the world. And if you are a bride-to-be and looking to get your wedding lehenga designed, here is a list of 10 stunning Indian embroideries that would look fabulous on your bridal trousseau.
1. Gotta Patti:
Gota Patti or Gota work is the most elegant type of Indian embroidery which has its roots in Rajasthan. It is crafted directly on fabric or is used in an appliqué technique with a strip of gold or silver (zari) or various other coloured ribbons of different widths woven in a twill or satin weave. The motifs are usually inspired by nature and consist of flora and fauna. Gota work creates a rich and heavy look but is light to wear and looks most beautiful when done on fabrics like georgette, velvet, chiffon, and silk.
2. Chikankari:
Subtle, elegant, and appealing; the Lucknow-special chikankari (which means embroidery) definitely complements the look of a beautiful blushing bride. Due to the influence of Persian aesthetics, chikan work (also popularly known as Lucknawi chikan) features prominent use of floral motifs, like Booti, Paisley, etc. This style of embroidery looks more enhanced on basic and neutral colours, such as beige and ivory. To give Chikankari a bridal look, mix it with other elements such as cut dana and sequins.
3. Zardozi:
Zardozi comes from two Persian words: zar (meaning ‘gold’), and dozi (meaning ‘sewing’). Weaving this type of heavy and elaborate metal embroidery on a silk, satin, or velvet lehenga will make your lehenga legendary and will definitely add to your D-Day. Designs are usually created using gold and silver threads (zari) and can incorporate pearls, beads, and sequins. During the old times, the embroidery was done with pure gold and silver wires. However, today, craftsmen make use of a combination of silk thread and copper wire, (with a golden or silver polish).
4. Phulkari:
Phulkari meaning ‘flower work’ refers to the folk embroidery of Punjab. Phulkari is an exquisite and expressive floral artwork that is done on the reverse side of the fabric with a silk thread, which ends up enhancing the beauty of the front side of the fabric. Initially, this style of embroidery was used on dupattas and shawls but now brides are adding this element throughout their lehengas. So make your wedding lehenga replete with the versatile and breezy floral embroidery, and stand out like no one else.
5. Cut Dana:
Cut dana embroidery is originated from the royal kingdoms of India. This type of embroidery uses stones that have been cut at specific angles in order to facilitate the reflection of light. These stones are sewn into the fabric with thin threads to create different kinds of patterns and designs. Cut dana embroidery has two types of recurring patterns or motifs – flora- fauna (which includes symbols like flowers, leaves, creepers, peacock, hummingbird, etc.) and geometrical shapes that are created to suit a particular garment. There’s no taking away from the fact that a bridal lehenga with this style of embroidery will make you look every bit like a queen!
6. Mirror-Work:
Mirror-work or shisha embroidery is mainly prominent in Rajasthani and Gujarati bridal lehengas. This type of embroidery requires attaching small pieces of mirrors on the fabric along with interwoven threads to make the outfit appealing. Circular, triangular, square, hexagonal, and polygonal mirrors are used to create vivid patterns. This style of embroidery will definitely make your wedding trousseau look like a piece of art.
7. Dabka:
Dabka also popularly known as Dubka, Dapka is an intricate embroidery that originated in Rajasthan. The embroidery work involves a spring type of thread or a coiled thin wire’ which is sewed in to create intricate patterns. The wired threads are mostly gold and are embroidered on the fabric in such a way that the needle passes through the middle of the design. This embroidery style is precise and detail-oriented and is usually done on chiffon. This artwork is popular among brides who like beautifully crafted but lightweight work on their lehenga.
8. Aari:
To have royal Mughal influence, embellish your dream bridal lehenga with an Aari embroidery. In this artwork beads, sequins, pearls, and ‘aar’ (a sharp-edged pen-like needle) are put to work, which creatively gives rise to chain stitch kind of imprints. This artwork is popular for its delicate and detailed thread work which enhances the beauty of hand embroidery. This kind of embroidery will give your bridal couture a great deal of depth and subtlety.
9. Mukaish:
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Mukaish, Mokaish, or Mukesh work is a kind of embroidery that involves the twisting of thin metallic threads to create patterns all over the fabric. This artwork is itself an accompaniment to chikankari and has roots in Lucknow. This form of embroidery involves dots, motifs that can extend to floral and geometric. This artwork will make your wedding trousseau shine without making it look too over the top.
10. Kantha:
This traditional embroidery has its roots in Bengal and is extremely popular among brides because of its intricate detailing. This artwork is a combination of running stitches, using multi-coloured threads, woven seamlessly to create stylish patterns like birds, animals, paisleys, and Kalash. A lehenga with Kantha work will revamp your bridal look and make you look extraordinary and breathtaking.
Indian embroidery is famous for its exclusive weaving techniques, regal threads, motifs, and classy patterns. Experiment with the fabulous artwork and swirl your bridal couture with the mix of traditional and contemporary embroidery and establish yourself a unique style. Tell us which one of the above embroideries stole your heart?
