cotton kurti tops

The colorful genus of flowers known as "lily of the Incas" is the inspiration for the hand-embroidered design of this organic cotton blouse. Peruvian artisans hand-stitch a handful of petite flowers along with a wealth of soutache embroidery and crocheted lace details at the bust and cuffs. Button-and-loop closures and a V-neck collar make this blouse perfect for work or weekends.

Batik motifs blossom as hibiscus flowers in this stylish teal tunic by Chomsuda Samana. Crafted of cotton, the lightweight top features a mandarin collar and slips over the head. The patterns are repeated on the back.

Ritu Agnihotri selects a delightful ikat fabric for this lovely blouse. Before they are placed on the loom, the fibers are carefully tie-dyed in such a way that the patterns emerge during the weaving process. Kantha running stitch and hand embroidery embellish the neckline and three-quarter length sleeves, and the tunic closes with hidden hooks and eyes.

Isha Jain celebrates India's textile and fashion legacies with the gorgeous design of this tunic. In cool turquoise blue, the tunic is sewn of chanderi, in which a 100% silk warp is combined with a 100% cotton weft, resulting in crisp, glossy sheer textures. Jain masters hand-block printing techniques in green, blue and black to adorn the tunic with floral and leafy patterns. Green silk taping trims the cuffs and hemline. Featuring lateral side slits and three-quarter length sleeves, the tunic is lined with cotton.

Named after a city in Madhya Pradesh, chanderi fabrics can be traced back to Vedic times; however, it was not until the 1970's that the cotton and silk blend fabric was developed.

Please note that due to the nature of the raw yarn used for weaving, chanderi textures are somewhat crisp.