The History of Brocade
The faith traditions of India fundamentally teach that
all things are interrelated and no two things operate
on their own, that creation cannot be separated from the
creator. This relationship is reflected in the arts of
India - the senses, the emotions, and the spirit intertwined
and expressed in ornate art forms, from
sculpture to jewelry to India's renowned silk and brocade
textiles.
One of the richest legacies of Indian textiles is the
"Benarasi" brocade or "Kumkhwab."
This hand-woven fabric using silk threads and "kalabatun"
(metal twisted on thread) reached its pinnacle under the
patronage of Emperor Shahjehan in the 12th century. The
beauty and elegance of these textiles were so extraordinary
that they called it "kumkhwab"…which translates
as, "A man could not even dream of it who had not
seen it." For centuries since, brocade has adorned
royalty and aristocracy, from the maharajas to European
kings and queens, from Indian bridegrooms and brides to
the muses of the world's most elite fashion houses. Brocade
is truly the fabric of royalty.
