The Swiss Laundry
An initiative by The Swiss Tribe
Connecting, Engaging and Innovating
The Swiss Laundry
The Swiss Laundry
What’s the first thing that comes in mind when you think about Bengal? Yes, most would think sweets and a delectable palate of cuisines. What’s the second thing? Undoubtedly it is their clothing. The fabrics and attires of the state of Bengal are closely associated with the color white. Take for example, the Bengali saree. The spotless white saree with a border in red embodies the pride of Bengali culture. The drape too can be distinguished from the usual way in which a North Indian or a Gujarati would drape a saree.
The narrow lanes and by lanes of Kolkata are the richest place for Indian fashion, the credit for which goes to all the karigars and designers. The city has abundance of young and fresh designers who reinvent as well as create new style statements for all the people living in Kolkata. There may be plethora of cuts, styles and fabrics to choose from in the city, but one can never go wrong with handloom weave-a-classic choice that can be repeated year after year and yet stay new always. The traditional attire of Bengal is a reflection of the influences that it drew and imbibed from the legacy of varied cultural ideologies that it witnessed.
The world renowned Bengali saree has been so well received that it has earned the status of a cult fashion. A particular style of sari that is known as the shari is the trademark of the local attire for the women. The sarees are mostly made of Silk and have a heavily embroidered pallu or border.The design trends of traditional Bengali couture are woven in the costumes displaying the art of Kantha. A kind of thread work that requires utmost concentration and technique, Kantha till date is quite in demand.
Other fabrics and styles which are exclusively popular as kolkata’s fashion and has evolved over time are:
  • Jamdani is a vividly patterned, sheer cotton fabric, traditionally woven on a hand loom by craftspeople in Bengal.

  • The most well-known silk saree of Bengal is the Baluchari, a product with exquisite design and weaving. Baluchari sarees look rich, sophisticated and have wonderful colour harmony with intricate designs that mostly depict stories from India’s ancient texts and epics.

  • The term “tant” refers to the handlooms in Bengal that are used to weave cotton sarees along with dhotis and other garments. Synonymous with Bengal cotton handlooms, tant or taant sarees are among the most popular sarees worn by the women of West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Name Address Description
Aashka 26B Elgin Road Exclusive Customized Ethnic Wear
Amalin dutta 42/2 Broad Street, Ballygunge Recreating the ageless heritage of Indian textile in a contemporary vocabulary.
Anita Sarees 2 Rowland Road, Ballygunge Specializes in Lenghas, Ghaghras and Sarees
Anne boutique Shop no A 236, City Centre Mall, Salt Lake Specialized in Designer Sarees Lenghas, and different varieties of Ghaghras.
Anshu Kayal Shop No A 226 City Centre Mall, Salt Lake Ethnic wear, party wear, bridal or semi western, everything is available. One Stop Store.
Anushree malhotra 24/A Old, Ballygunge, Second Lane, Broad Street Unique cuts and designs made out of ordinary Gamcha fabric. Looks different and fashionable.
The Bluberry Store 61 A Park Street, G102 Ambassador Apartment Garments, Jewellery and bed linen from the Jaipur brand tharyamal balchand.
Jhoomar 6B, Allenby Rd Elgin, Kolkata A mini house of designer ethnic clothes for both men and women.
Nite N Day Treasure island Market, Shop G21, 3 Madge Lane Reflecting Heritage! Royal ethnic wear for men.
Onaya 1st Floor, 8/2, Loudon Manor, Loudon Street Showcasing designers from different cities under one roof.
Ommbre Aman Kunj, Ground floor, 27 Sarat Bose Road Cozy little multi designer studio.
Ossa 11/1b/2 East Topsia Road, Em bypass, Kolkata Bridal and party wear store
Ramavi India 312/2 Satin Sen Nagar, New Barreckpor Exceptional collection of quirky Eco-friendly handloom clothing.
Black 95A park street Exclusive men's ethnic wear. Be it sherwani, suit, or dhoti you will get a variety at black.
Suave Mod 5 Dover Road Best guidance about fabrics and designs can be obtained here at Suave Mod.
Vedam 33, Shakespeare Sarani One stop fashion destination, be it wedding or any other special event in life.
Urban haat 33A Sarat bose road A a fusion of modern style and ethnic appeal. Unique collection of footwear, apparale, home decor and personal accessories.
Aarna 95A park street Basement A designer store catering to women with class. They have a collection of sarees, suits, gowns and Indo-western outfits
Label by Maya and simran 22 Haysham road A newly opened store which caters to all types of women's apparel category.
Aditi's 234/3A A.J.C.Bose Road, Ground Floor A multi-designer studio for ethnic and Indo-western garments which also provides customization and stitching
The Swiss Laundry