Styled to perfection

SHE USED to paint for a hobby. Now, Anita Reddy executes embroidered dreams, specially for the wealthy. She used to wear her specially embroidered clothes to parties, where friends would ask her about them, and persuade her to do the same for them.

Slowly, they encouraged her to set up a small outlet at home, in Chetpet, to cater for more people. This suited her as she could control home and work. Today, she has the best of both worlds.

Anita trained craftspersons at home in a variety of handicrafts. She designs the outfits, and uses ari, zardosi, bead work, applique and Parsi borders to embellish them.

Kanchipuram, crepe, georgette, cotton and silk sarees with gold and silver thread work... they spell elegance. They are perfect for a wedding or just right for an evening out.

Anita gets most of her material like beads, crystal, stones, sequins and threads from Chennai itself. "Though foreign beads are finely graded and so there is no wastage," she says.

Anita also undertakes traditional hand embroidery stitches like long and short, chain, French knot etc.

The prices range from anywhere between Rs. 250 to a few thousand rupees, depending on the work involved and the fabric chosen. Anita also does old style portraits on order. She can be contacted at 8264092.

RUPA GOPAL

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