It seems like so long ago when I first sent off my entry for this competition, but the judging finally took place this weekend. Congratulations to Sharen Kaur on her winning design (see the Bridging Arts Blog for more on the designs). Four designs were chosen to go forward to the final judging and the designs were sent to India to be made up into actual Sarees. I would love to be able to show you pictures of my finished Sari but alas we will all have to wait a little longer! The last 2 Sarees arrived from India on Wednesday, but UK customs decided to hang on to mine...where it still sits. So, let me show you my design drawings instead:
I also stitched some samples to show the embroidery detail:
My aim was to create a fusion of East and West, bringing together traditional and contemporary elements from each culture. The one thing British and Asian cultures both share in abundance is rain! From the cold dreary rain of Britain to the warm, heavy monsoon rains of Asia, my sari would reflect these extremes in the elements, my sari would be a celebration of rain.
The shaped petticoat shirt and corset, fashionable throughout British fashion for centuries, is given a modern twist in the colours of a wet pavement, shining slate grey. The skirt is covered with Asian inspired umbrellas in bright silks (interspersed with the odd black British brolly!) and embellished with goldwork and bead embroidery.
The sari itself is a sheer fabric, blue grey in colour to represent the cloudy sky and is adorned with crystal drops to represent the rain.
When the sari is draped, the umbrellas rest in layers over the petticoat skirt protecting the wearer from the rain drops landing on them from the sari itself.
I'll post pictures of the real one as soon as Customs release it so keep checking back.
This is the project we worked inspired by an oil pastel study I worked when in Cyprus studying for my Diploma in Art. Everyone embraced my suggestion of painted backgrounds and all without exception did a wonderful job if their summer Cyprus skies!