Fashion lies in every part of India. Meanwhile, different parts of India exhibit different types of styles. Chikankari is one of them. It is a beautiful embroidery style from Lucknow. However, Chikankari is one of Lucknow’s best-known textile decoration styles. Now the Chikankari work is popular all over India and even abroad.
The Chikankari fabric is simple yet gives you a rich look. Earlier, the embroidery work was on white-on-while muslin cloth. Furthermore, to keep it up with the modern trends, Chikankari has embraced the use of colors. Along with it, it has over 40 exclusive stitch types.
The process of making beautiful Chikankaris:
Meanwhile, it takes a long process for the workers to finally give you a beautiful Chikankari dress. Hence, the process includes cutting, stitching, printing, designing, embroidery, and then lastly, washing. The fabric used in Chikankari is mainly cotton. But nowadays other soft materials that give an elegant look are also being used in chicken. We can sum up the process of making Chikankari like the following –
- Cutting & Stitching: – in the very beginning, the tailor cuts the fabric into the shape that is required. Thereupon, the tailor gives a quick running stitch. In this way, the block printer gets an idea of the place where the design will be printed.
- Printing & designing: – After that process, they print the designs on semi-stitched garments using fugitive colors. Then they design the prints in blue ink onto the fabric. However, before printing the designs they cut the cloth according to the garment it will form.
- Embroidery: The skilled artists do the job of embroidery using a needle, thread, and a frame that holds the fabric tightly. They do all the embroidery on the printed designs. The process takes up to 10 days to reach the level of perfection.
- Washing: Once the embroidery work is done, the fabric needs to be washed and cleaned. This is the last stage of the method. The washing is done to remove the printed ink. Finally, the product is reviewed by the head tailor and manufactures, and then it is ready to enter the market.
Different Types of Chikankari
Chikankari Saree:
One of the most trendy ethnic wear you can pick is Chikankari sarees. The saree has sophisticated soft fabric along with beautiful thread works. Not only does it make you comfortable but also gives you a classy and rich look. In addition, many fashion designers have been including such sarees in their wedding collections lately. Meanwhile, the heavy embroidered work on pure fabric is one of the best Chikankari sarees that gives you the moon in a night look.
Colors you can try to slay in –
- The marine blue
- Classy peach
- Ivory
- Pastel green
- Lavender
Chikankari Lehenga:
We all went head over heels for Sonam Kapoor when she flaunted that Chikankari Lehenga in her Mehendi ceremony. Well, if you want to get that dreamy look as well, no big deal. Because with a saree like this you can get that same stunning look as well. Additionally, most of these lehengas are hand-picked. They give you a heavy classy look. Call it a marriage ceremony or any other desi function, with these lehengas you are more special in the crowd.
Chikankari Kurti & suits:
Any formal or informal gathering or any work – a Kurti can rock everywhere. Meanwhile, Kurtis is our favorite pick because of the comfortable yet sophisticated looks it gives. A Kurti with leggings or palazzo never goes out of trend. Moreover, a Chikankari suit with a Lucknow threadwork palazzo is something we all would drool over. Meanwhile, Chikankari suits and kurta with different colors like beige, ivory, pink, dust rose, pastel yellow, etc are available in the market. All you need to do is pick your favorite color and rock.
Chickankari Sharara:
The very elegant Chikankari sharara enhances your personality and gives a fresh and classy look. Moreover, you can wear the sharara casually as well as formally. You can pick any long or short Kurti with sharara for that classy look.
The Lucknow Chikankari: a sign of grace and elegance
Chikankari means the art of ‘chikan’ or embroidery. Meanwhile, Lucknow is the birthplace of the Chikankari industry. The fabric is widely known as Lucknawi chikan. It is hand made and that is what makes the embroidery special. Starting from choosing the right fabric, making the block print, sewing, and finally giving it to the customer takes so much effort and care. Moreover, this making process of Chikankari takes up to months. Along with it, the brilliance and beautiful efforts of the artisans represent the cultural history of India. Meanwhile, the Bollywood divas from Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon, Alia Bhatt to Priyanka Chopra often show their elegance in beautiful Chikankari kurta, saree, and Anarkali.
Also Read: Fair Skin In Indian Culture: An Infatuation
