Saris

Saris reveals the traditional dress of women in the Indian subcontinent. The word sari is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sarika' which means 'long piece of cloth'. The sari has remained an essential part of culture, tradition and fashion in South Asia and India through many centuries. The sari has a history that dates back more than 3000 years. It was originally worn by Hindu women in ancient India and has been worn by many other cultures since then. There are many different types of traditional saris in India, but they all have a few things in common – they are long pieces of fabric that are wrapped around the body, they can be draped over one shoulder or both shoulders, and can be held together on one side with a belt or pin. Learn more about saris in this comprehensive introduction, illuminating the main periods and key themes of Indian fashion history, followed by thematic chapters that cover all eras of clothing, including hair accessories and necklines to hemlines and shoes. Each garment or illustration is accompanied by text exploring its style and the fascinating range of embroidery, draping, ornamentation, dyeing and materials. The sari has remained a fashionable choice for those living in the Indian subcontinent today.

Shreya Jain is a visual artist and writer from India, driven by a need for independence and a refusal to stay small. She grew up in a culture that asked for obedience and prized silence over truth, but has always been drawn to what is wild, unfinished, and real. Her creative practice lives in that tension: between structure and chaos, tradition and rebellion, silence and voice. Rooted in fashion and documentary styles, Jain's visual work is narrative-driven, using quiet tension, subtle mystery, and thoughtful composition to reflect the essence of human experience. As she writes her first book, she aims to bring the same sensitivity and storytelling instinct into language — exploring themes of identity, resistance, and becoming.