Haute Line

If there is one person who swears by art, it is undoubtedly Rizwana Kashyap. A delightful artist and wife of Pune Police Commissioner K.K...

If there is one person who swears by art, it is undoubtedly Rizwana Kashyap. A delightful artist and wife of Pune Police Commissioner K.K. Kashyap, her deft and adroit fingers have been fashioning bedspreads, cushion covers and wall hangings into sheer marvels for a long time now. That apart, she has another passion 8211; sari blouses that are exquisite and most uncommon.

With a charming smile, she reveals that she chooses her blouses first and then decides on the sari. She continues, 8220;My blouses are never revealing 8211; in fact, most of the creativity is exhibited on the back portion of the blouse.8221; And you have to agree. A part of a mirrored cushion cover from Gujarat has now transformed into a blouse. The lace sleeves of her grandmother8217;s exquisite kurti, intricately embroidered, now form the sleeves of one of her blouses. Her grandfather8217;s sherwani is one of Rizwana8217;s favourite blouses today 8211; made of pure silk, cream in colour, with sleeves bordered in gold.

Besides these exotic ones, her eyes see possibilities even in the humble pancha a towel made of khadi cotton, in the borders of worn-out saris and the yokes and borders of discarded kameezes.

Then there is the special blouse, where she has combined two fabrics 8211; in grey and white 8211; to make a lovely blouse. 8220;It goes so well with all my black and white saris,8221; she smiles. Says this tall and dignified lady, 8220;I only wear cotton or pure silk saris. I hate synthetic ones.8221; And then, instead of a search for mundane matching blouses,8217; for Rizwana, it is mix n8217; match. She says, 8220;I can wear three or four saris with one blouse.8221;

Most of her blouses are long, just a little above the waist, and elegantly stitched, many of them going back to the yesteryears 8211; puffed sleeves, high necks, loose stitch8230; But that8217;s what being innovative is all about. 8220;It is the blouse that enhances the look of a sari.8221; Taking a cue from Rizwana8217;s wardrobe, her neighbour in Mumbai decided to go in for a change in wardrobe. Recalls Rizwana, 8220;She liked my blouses so much that she requested me to design them for her!8221;

Of course, what is important is also maintenance and Rizwana maintains her clothes impeccably. Something just as important as creativity!