Long Kashmiri Kaftans

Fifteen long kaftans, each one hand-embroidered in Aari work by karigars in Pampore, Kashmir. Cotton, chiffon, crush and tie-dye grounds — cut long, cut loose, and made to be worn on an ordinary Tuesday rather than kept for an occasion.

Aari is hook embroidery: the karigar works from the face of the fabric with a fine hook, laying a continuous chain stitch. It is slower than a machine and it looks it — the motifs vary slightly from one to the next, because a hand repeats to the eye and a machine repeats to the millimetre.

• Short Kaftans
• All Kaftans
• Long Kurtis
• All Clothing

What you are choosing between

• Cotton — breathes through summer. The daily-wear ground.
• Chiffon — light, fluid, holds movement. Resort and evening.
• Crush — textured finish, packs without complaint. Travels well.
• Tie-dye — the ground does the colour work, the thread does the detail.
• Full-neck work — embroidery carried up around the neckline rather than kept to a yoke.

Colours in this collection

Midnight black, emerald green, crimson red, fuchsia pink, rose pink, blush pink, butter yellow, lemon lime, dusty rose, white grey, white bloom, and four ivory grounds — gold, pastel, tonal and coral.

Questions people ask us

Not sure which fabric suits how you will actually wear it? Message us on WhatsApp — we will tell you honestly, including when the answer is nothing we stock.