Indian Sari

The sari has remained an essential part of culture, tradition and fashion in South Asia and India through many centuries. This book examines the variety of meanings which it carries as a symbol of Indian femininity and tradition as well as a means of creative fashion expression for modern India.

It discusses the semiotic interpretations of the sari today by understanding its significance for traditional weavers, designers and people who wear saris at home, work or for religious or cultural occasions. Through surveys, interactions and interviews, the author explores the shared experience of wearing saris in different social and cultural settings across economic groups in farms and boardrooms as well as a means of creative expression for young Indians. It also looks at the processes involved in making traditional saris today, draping and weaving styles, buying behaviour, saris in pop-culture, pride parades and Bollywood and interpretations of what the sari signifies in different socio-economic circles in India.

This book will be of interest to students of fashion, design, fashion business, history and cultural studies. It will also be useful for professionals working in the fashion industry and designers.

Vaibbhavi Pruthviraj Ranavaade is a design education leader, researcher, author, speaker and the co-founder and principal designer of the slow fashion label “Vaibbhavi P”. She has a diverse research experience in the areas of semiotics of fashion, Indian fashion systems and society, decolonized fashion and sustainable fashion. She is actively working towards promoting and developing a responsible glocal fashion language.