Gaurang Shah, Payal Khandwala, Tulsi Silks and Sanjukta Dutt had one thing in common at Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 16, and that was embracing the evergreen yet historic silk fabric in their collections. Even western luxury brands including Prada and Dolce and Gabbana used silk brocade in their AW16 collections at Milan Fashion Week.  We are totally bananas for banarasi, one of the regale forms of a silk saree, which has been around for many years and is still popular as ever today!

We share three looks with handwoven banarasi sarees and silk thread handmade chooriyan to give you some inspiration this winter. Banarasi sarees are perfect for those casual and formal family functions and should a wardrobe staple.

For the first look we opted for a funky print western crop top with this pop grass green banarasi sari by Priyanka Creations. We kept it nice and simple with statement handmade bangles by Bangles and Beyond, made of silk thread and embellished with pearls and stones.

Look 2 we paired up a hot orange v-neck, short sleeved western top with this luscious pink banarsi sari by Priyanka Creations. Again this time we used statement Bangles and Beyond orange and pink chooriyan on one wrist, whilst wearing traditional pearl gold jhumka by Deevara Jewels, which are so versatile, it is almost universal to wear with most South Asian attire!

Did you know it normally takes 12 to 22 days to weave a sari!

Look 3 nods to the AW16 trends of the “Little Black Sari”; it has become a must-have to add to the staple wardrobe. This particular sari took 22 x 8 man hours to weave! We matched up this silver mixed zari banarasi sari with an on trend black velvet bardot top from River Island. These large floral motifs meant we could add some black statement chooriyan without over doing it with the black, and pair with simple gold and pearl necklace & long drop earrings to match the golden borders.

Banarasi is yet traditional, but can look contemporary when paired up with a western top or statement jewellery. But what we love about banarasi is that it speaks for itself. On another note we do pledge please that you support the industry of  handwoven/hand-loomed sarees. Major players in the South fashion industry are now putting heritage hand-looming/handwoven fabrics at the forefront of fashion weeks. Supporting such craftmanship can help prevent it from vanishing in the near future.

Let us know what your favourite look is by tweeting us @LondonKiLadki. If you want to know the full details of the looks, please see below:

Look 1

Green Banarasi Saree: Priyanka Creations

Pink & Green Chooriyan Bangles: Bangles and Beyond

Crop Top: Gift

Look 2

Pink Banarasi Saree: Priyanka Creations

Orange and Pink Chooriyan Bangles: Bangles and Beyond

Earrings: Deevara Jewels

Orange Short Sleeved V-neck Top: Gift

Look 3

Black Banarasi Saree: Priyanka Creations

Black Chooriyan Bangles:Bangles and Beyond

Black Bardot Top: River Island

Earrings & Necklace: Gift

Photo credits: London Ki Ladki