NYC Style Spot   +  Inspiration

Anarkali
Anarkali Design HistoryAnarkali Design HistoryAnarkali Design HistoryAnarkali Design HistorySome of you may have seen this before but while on the topic of Indian Couture, ahem.. we wanted to revisit a Salwar Kameez we designed for ourselves for a cousin's wedding a few months ago. ;) You like? :) 
EDIT: On request of our German friend at Kleidsam, we've decided to do a bit of a history lesson on Anarkalis. Well, Anarkali (literally meaning "pomegranate blossom") was a renowned slave girl from Lahore (Pakistan) during the Mughal era. She was a performer and dancer at the palace of the Emperor Akbar. She was allegedly ordered to be buried alive by the Emperor for having an illegitimate love affair with Prince Salim, who later became the royal leader Jahangir. The dance called mujra was famed during the Mughal era. Legendary dancers and courtesans at the fortress of the Mughal kings performed for the kings' amusement. So, the dresses worn by the dancers were known as mujra dresses which slowly came to be known as Anarkali dresses or Anarkali salwar kameez in the commemoration of the great dancer and ardent lover, Anarkali. The skirt of the garment is uncomplicated plain umbrella patterned and highlighted with beautiful border. The upper portion of kameez which is the choli or the yoke is heavily embellished and most often completely embroidered.  
PS. Kleidsam is a treat for women and a must see (and learn) for men. The styling is always sharp and clean and there is plenty in way of inspiration! I'm particularly in love with the fact that Kleidsam apparently means 'Becoming'! :) There you go, a German lesson too. Aren't we feeling preachy today? ;)