Sherwani: The name itself speaks about the grandeur and finesse, etiquette and class, calm yet fiery royals and nobles of the erstwhile Ottoman empire then great Mughals and modern Nawabs possesses naturally.
The most intricate detailing of the cutting techniques then stitching by hand and finishing in steps is something special about this attire. Earlier there used to be 3-4 sittings with the tailor to get the perfect fit, kings and nawabs used to travel all the way to Delhi because the masters were very few and all were concentrated in the old Delhi during Mughal era and then taken over by British tailors. These were taking 10-15 days to complete the job provided the body fitting and fit tests are conducted timely.
It was only after the Britishers left India, it was taken over by the masters locally and then gradually spread to other parts of India as well. The rulers of various estates of free India later on joined the government and sherwani became the formal attire of the government. Interestingly, during the oath ceremony of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, all the member of parliament were wearing sherwani as a dress code.
Started from the top strata of the society it took ages to reach gradually to the learned masses and now everyone wants to wear it at least once in his life, be it on his wedding day to feel special and look royal.
Now the classic Indian wear is again picking up momentum, across the globe. Models area walking ramp in designer sherwanis and indo-western deriving out from the cuts of sherwani. Sherwani makes you look young, more in control and also fit, it is not easy to make and requires master craftsmen to bring the best fit.
Be it a wedding, a party, an engagement, a festival, a formal or informal dinner, classic Indian wear, and especially sherwani can make you stand apart from the rest.
A global trend:
International celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher, famous rapper Snoop Dogg Led, Zeppelin front man Robert Plant to Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. have worn sherwanis on various red-carpet events. Westerners have become fond of the design, form, fit, and comfort of Indian clothing as it gains popularity around the world and are using it to express their personal style.
Today, the sherwani has become a global trend for high teas and page 1 events apart from the wedding day. Globally the market has grown tremendously due to high demand, the ready made sherwanis made by standardized pattern cut and mass stitching has taken the market by storm and market size has grown to multi crore, yet the era of custom made, body fit sherwani is there to stay.
Fashion designers connecting to the Globe:
Indian fashion designers are able to reach a global audience as they become more well-known throughout the world, and traditional Indian clothing is becoming more and more well-liked every day. The days when foreigners had preconceived notions about Indian clothing are long gone. Sherwanis, are becoming more and more fashionable daily as Indian fashion designers acquire recognition for their work.
Few private labels are now working wonders in modern sherwanis, the experiments around the looks of sherwani, cuts, foliage and fit are on high. Huge amalgamation of embroidery, zari and dabka work and even zardozi and kalamkari fabrics are part of the fusion this classical piece of art is seeing during the last few years.
Demand for huge variety of colours and fabrics is on a rise, the trims, buttons and accessories are experimented on a different level and the fittings are tested to make lot of other derivated garments, and those are also gaining popularity.
All new sherwani shops can be seen in majority of traditional markets selling not only sherwani but also matching these with Cufflinks, eyeglasses, earrings, bracelets, fashionable watch rings, and other accessories those can make you stand out from the crowd. Kolhapur chappals, Mojari, Paduka, or Jutti, etc can enhance the elegant impact and take your appearance to the next level.
Even if traditional Indian clothing alone can liven up your wardrobe and add a touch of class and elegance, adding a modern twist will only improve your appearance and style. You may take your outfit to the next level by pairing your Kurta with jeans or your sherwani with a sleeveless coat and a pocket handkerchief.
Knowing which colours go well together will help you stand out from the crowd. Combining light and dark colours, especially complementary colours. You can always wear the appropriate colour and attire depending on the occasion if you know which colours are appropriate for certain events.
The Masters at work:
You may get a sense of what the current trends are by speaking with a fashion expert, a designer, or a well-known brand. You can also learn what colours, patterns, designs, and fits celebrities favour. You may take your appearance to a new level by figuring out what suits your tastes, your personality, and what will make you the talk of the event or party.
No matter the event, you’ll always be prepared if you know what’s fashionable and what you like, what speaks to and appeals to your sense of style, personality, and personality, and where to find the suitable traditional Indian clothing. But when it comes to best fittings and confort, you need to get in touch with a master.
Aligarh being the front runner in picking up the trend of sherwani even before India got independence, the master of this art Late Mr. Mehdi Hasan has settled down and helped various Indian Presidents, Prime Ministers, other dignitaries and celebrities turn their special day into more memorable with the hand work of master. Mehdi Hasan tailor is a name that the entire world knows and have seen him getting praised from the who’s who of India and abroad.
Now Mr. Anwar Mehdi is the torch bearer of this craft and is working along with his sons to preserve expand the legendary work of sherwani making.