Sonam Kapoor, an actress from India, wore a gown that was floor-length and designed by Anamika Khanna and Emilia Wickstead. She wore it to King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday. On social media, there were many photos and videos showing the actor at the concert. One section said that her dress looked like a bedsheet. Fashion blogger explains the “unique history” of the fabric with chintz prints on Sonam’s coronation gown. Sonam thanked him for getting the gist of her outfit. Also read: Sonam Kapoor, dressed in white, welcomes King Charles III’s coronation with a ‘namaste.’
On Tuesday, a fashion blogger named Aamir Ali Shah took to Instagram to talk about how lots of Indian and Pakistani brands use the chintz print today ‘without having an iota of knowledge’ about this fabric’s ‘unique history’. He also sent a message to those who were asking ‘what was extraordinary’ about Sonam and her coronation gown.
Aamir posted a picture on Instagram showing Sonam Kapoor wearing an outfit featuring a vintage garment in chintz pattern. “Read below the photo to find out what is extraordinary about it.” It looks like a sheet. These ‘chintz prints’, now used as bed sheets and curtains or upholstery in many homes around the world, originated along the Coromandel Coast of India. (Cheent in hindi meaning spotted). Chintz was once highly valued around the globe. It helped revolutionise design and fashion globally.”
He went on to write about the fabric’s history, “Before Europe came to claim these prints, cheent a plain weave glazed cotton fabric was printed, or painted in vivid colours and was traded across seas for decades. Europeans embraced ‘indiene design’ to fill their homes with vivid madder and indigo colours depicting exotic flora, fauna and other elements. This was necessary because the weather was usually grey and cloudy. Until 17th century trade in these Indian printed cottons flourished then European fabric manufacturers protested and even rioted against ‘the tawdry, bespotted’ cottons made by ‘Heathens and Pagans’. Colonial enterprises banned the import of cotton from India. This led to imitation chintz produced in Holland, Britain, France and other countries. It was only then that the motifs and designs were slowly made to depict European birds and plants.”
Aamir also wrote that “some scholars believe chintz was first used as a fabric for clothing when maids would transform old or damaged textiles into dresses.” Many lawn brands in Pakistan use these prints, but many don’t know the fabric’s history. Now that Sonam Kapoor is wearing it, “it’s a full-circle moment” quoting Deepthi (@lampglow), and Susan Thomas (@afsarnama), here from across border. The fabric, which was taken from the natives and dispossessed of its original context, is now being reclaimed by designers.
Sonam replied to the lengthy post in the comments section by saying, “Thanks for getting the point.” Anamika created the print.” According to an article in Vogue India, Sonam’s gown was created by Emilia Wickstead. Anamika then added the calico inspired print. The report said that the Indian designer was inspired by the 17th and18th century calico prints which were once a common commodity traded between India, UK and France.
After her long break from acting, Sonam Kapoor is all ready to make a comeback with Shome Makhija’s Blind. It will be Sonam Kapoor’s first film after she gave birth in August of last year to her son Vayu Ahuja.