Phulkari — “flower work” from Punjab
Phulkari literally means flower work. Traditionally, women embroidered geometric blooms with glossy floss silk, working mostly from the reverse of the cloth using a darning stitch. When the embroidery covers the whole fabric, it is called a bagh — a garden. Phulkaris were often made for weddings and handed down through generations.
Kantha — the running stitch of Bengal
Kantha comes from Bengal and Odisha. It began as a way to layer old saris and stitch them into soft quilts with simple running stitches. Today the same stitch creates rippling texture, animals, florals and borders on dupattas and saris.
How to style them
- Pair a bright phulkari with a plain white or pastel suit — let it be the hero.
- Throw a kantha dupatta over a simple kurta or even a shirt dress for quiet texture.
Shop: Multicolour Phulkari Dupatta, Light Green Phulkari Dupatta and Cream Kantha Dupatta.