Anita Dongre
Ever looked at that golden work on your Indian wear and wondered if they were all the same? Indian embroidery has a rich and regal past, and each style unique from the other. And it’s true that we’re often wearing treasures we don’t know much about! We brought you a 101 on Benarasi brocades in the previous edition. This edit, we’re serving up India’s very own appliqué embroidery: gota patti!
Gota in a Nutshell
Arpita Mehta
Gota’s history goes all the way back to Mughal scions. Gota was born in Rajasthan and involves appliqué work on a ribbon cloth, which is then sewn onto the borders of sarees and dupattas. What makes gota so special is the golden and silver ribbon. The ribbon is cut into the shapes of animal, flower and other motifs and embroidered using silver, gold or copper threads onto satin, georgette or bandhini fabrics to create beautiful and alluring surface textures.
Why should opt for gota work?
Devnaagri
Surface texturing and embroidery is the icing on the cake of the treasure trove that is Indian textiles. Gota is unique for the use of drawing, cutting and folding to create elaborate patterns which are then sewn onto the main fabric. Gota also uses gold, silver and coppers and blends in perfectly for anyone craving an Indian dose of that metallic trend. So this time, go ahead and make sure that your metallic piece can become an heirloom as well!
Which designers have championed gota?
Rimple and Harpreet Narula
Whether it’s Anita Dongre’s pieces for the classic bride or Arpita Mehta’s contemporary take, gota patti has been embraced by a slew of designers. Anita Dongre’s bridal outfits use gota patti make a striking contrast of traditional and contemporary. Nidhi Tolia pushes the conventions of gota patti using it for full body work. Masaba gives gota patti a young and fresh twist by weaving it on neon print fabrics.
L to R: Astha Narang, Anita Dongre, Jayanti Reddy
Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla’s garments tinged with an ethereal flash of gotta pati have been timeless favourites while Rimple & Harpreet Narula always give it a regal spin. Designers like Devnaagri, Aprajita Toor, and Jayanti Reddy have given their nod to gota work as well.
Styling gota patti
Devnaagri
Not sure how to sport this trend? Offset a gota patti crop top with trousers and a sheer stole for a Rakhi lunch or simply add that gota patti dupatta to a monochrome kurta set for a day-to-night look. Don’t forget to accessorise with your favourite metallic jewellery! Gota patti lehengas and sharara sets spruced with sequinned embroidery in blush tones always work well come wedding season as well.
Shop gota favourites by Aashni + Co designers here.
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