Blouse

A blouse is a fitted bodice that is usually cropped above the waist and is worn with a saree or a lehenga in most of the regions across the Indian Subcontinent.

The concept of wearing a blouse with a saree was introduced in the 19th century by the British in India.

According to historical facts, Indian women used to wear sarees over their bare breasts before the British brought in the concept of a shirt or blouse to India.

Jnanadanandini Debi, the wife of Satyendranath Tagore – brother of the famous Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore was the powerhouse who revolutionized saree fashion by draping the saree over accompaniments like blouses, chemises and jackets for the first time.

She became a style icon in those days and the fashion statement spread all over India.

A blouse worn with a saree has ever since been given various names in the diverse cultures and regions across India. It is commonly known as a Choli in the Northern States of India, Ravikein in Southern India, Cholo in Nepal etc.

The evolution of blouses in India since then has contributed many unique designs to the fashion world, infusing simple regional designs with the flavours from different cultures not only in India but globally.

The Quirky Kanya team specializes in creating and curating out-of-the-box designs in Indian blouses that are made out of Indian fabrics but are influenced by vintage as well as contemporary designs from all over the world.