My first memory of Phulkari was a gorgeous dupatta my Mom had. The beautiful colours and embroidery have always been something I have wanted to explore as a designer. So when I started designing my own collection, I knew this was a form of embroidery I definitely wanted to with.

What Is Phulkari?

Phulkari, which literally translates into ‘flower work’, has a history etched in the culture of Punjab. Spun from the charkha this spectacular style of embroidery is patterned on odinis, shawls, kurtis and chunnis. The main characteristics of this embroidery are the use of darn stitch on the wrong side of the cloth with different coloured silken threads.

Being a romantic, I have to share this with you. Do you know when this craft dates back to? Phulkari gets it first mention in Punjabi folklore of the romantic protagonists Heer and Ranjha. The family tradition of sewing these beautiful pieces were associated with the Sikh heritage but was also shared with Hindus & Muslims. For the people of Punjab, Phulkari is not just a style of embroidery. For them it has been a traditional family culture that grew into this art form. Each household had its own style and their own stories to weave.

The Comeback

The embroidery took a backseat with the division of India and Pakistan. However, it soon sprang back. Even though there is an inimitable demand for Phulkari work nowadays, there are limited credible sources left from where one can purchase a hand-woven Phulkari fabric. With commercialization of the needlework, quicker methods of production have been devised.

Khaddar which was the original fabric used to has been replaced by a variety of other textiles such as silk, chiffon, georgette, cotton, etc.

The Skyy Collection

A part of the Skyy collection has been inspired by this ancient traditional embroidery work. We have used vibrant colours like deep reds and pinks to add that touch of royalty and elegance.

The Simar, Sagarika, Faridkot and Bagh cushions are a contemperory take on traditional phulkari and pair beautifully with other cushions we have.Team them up with Dark Red and Pink Sal quilted velvet cushions or go over the top with our long Gazala cushion.Our reversible Marlow cushion is also a great offset for this group. Buy a set this festive season and watch people light up as they walk through your home.