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Saree ga ma...
SHEER RHAPSODY! As yards and yards of chiffons, georgettes and crepes unfold, one is transfixed with the beauty of the peerless perfection of the exquisite craftsmanship, embellishing the smooth and soft five-and-a-half yard fabric into a stunning creation. You nod in admiration. Yeah, nothing to beat saree for sartorial elegance.
Designed by the US-returned Lateef Ahmed Siddiqui, the display of his collection at `also' in Begumpet has those designer sarees and salwar kurtas with a combination of zardosi, salma gota, karchob, kamdani work and oxidised borders (Latif created them long before they became popular after release of Devdas). Plus a charming array of jewellery in pure and uncut diamonds, polkie, rubies, sapphires, emeralds in contemporary and Victorian styles.
Latif who held shows in the Gulf, Europe and the US returned to the city to "let his children grow amidst the native culture.'' "When I used to design clothes for my wife, with the fusion of East and West, they were appreciated and that's how my hobby turned into a vocation too," he says.
His first display in March was an instant success with celebrities lapping it up. As he doesn't like repetition, care goes into each piece, from selection of fabric, which at times is imported to suit the `work'. "I don't go by customer's choice. I should be totally satisfied with the final outcome.''
Hailing from a nawabi background, Latif turned the ancestral haveli at Madannapet into a workshop where artisans turn out exquisite work. Drawing inspiration from the beautiful peacock, Turkish tombs and fresh flowers, his designer sarees -- be it in pure chiffon, crushed crepe, Banaras georgette and satin -- have those unusual prints and myriad hues.
Whether simple and plain or with a combination of gold and silver zari, sequine, thread work looks sensuous and pleasant.
His trademark crushed borders and laces add elegance to the sarees. And what about the price range? "With designer label, I endeavour to offer reliable quality at a reasonable price,'' he says.
On till August 24, look out for that crushed crepe with golden bleach and water fountain dyeing that creates an illusion of flow of colour, sarees with embossed embroidery, French net saree with crushed and ribbon embroidery and Banaras georgette sarees with stones and pearls.
By Melly Maitreyi M.
Photo: Mohd. Yousuf
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Bangalore
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