Akshara

A Love Letter

Growing up I loathed Indian clothes. I found them uncomfortable & would always roll my eyes back into my head each time Ma would forcefully slip a slightly oversize kurta top over my torso.

Fast forward to twenty something years later, Indian wear is ingrained into my identity. My first piece, was a House Of Masaba black, white & yellow polka saree. This was before House Of Masaba had launched their e-commerce site & I liaised with the team over email. Cut to three weeks later. I was in absolute bliss. From that day started my love affair with the saree.

After the polka dots, I was down an Instagram rabbit hole searching for brands & slowly learning about different fabrics, embroidery, art, history & the impact Bollywood’s best dressed had on my young impressionable mind. Little did I know, the last point would influence so much of what I own & my style in general.

I feel today, sarees are present in every brown girls outfit rotations & over time have been styled to suit their personal taste. One of the many great aspects of a saree is the ability to mix ‘n’ match with really anything you already own, opting for a healthy mix between street style x femininity x culture.

So, replace your pant suits for nine yards, a lipstick shade so luxurious that will leave a mark on everything (& everyone) you kiss, your best friends Ray Bans, a mens watch & brown slides you bought at a road side market.