Taken at Orchid Garden, KL during a cloudy day.
::
Salwar Kameez ::
Worn
by various people from South Asia, the salwar kameez (shalwar
kameez) is the national costume for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In Malaysia, this costume is widely known as the Punjabi dress
due to the costume's popularity in Punjab, India.
The Salwar Kameez originates as a form of modest dressing
brought to South Asia by the Muslim Turko-Iranian rulers during
AD 750. However, it is now worn by women irrespective of religion
and caste.
From
an influence, there are several reasons why the Salwar Kameez
retains its popularity till today.
|
Comfort is the key reason as the costume allows rapid movements.
Besides, cotton is often used to deal with heat and humidity
in these regions.
Moreover, the Salwar Kameez hides a less-flattering figure well.
The prints and materials are very versatile and it's easy to
find a perfect cutting and material for all types of body shapes.
Most importantly, the costume exuberates feminine aura in everyday
wear. |
Beautiful Orchids accentuates the feminine aura of the salwar kameez
 |
Essentially, the salwar kameez has 3 parts.
.01 Kameez (top)
Kameez refers to the Tunic top, which is often decorated with
elaborate embroidery and beading.
.02 Salwar (pants)
The
Salwar resembles a pyjamas pants held together by a drawstring.
It is baggy at the hip area and tapers towards the bottom.
.03 Dupatta (scarf)
Made of thinner material, it is drape around the head or shoulders
in various ways. Muslim women drapes the dupatta around their
heads as a lenient alternative to the burqa. Hindu women also
use it to cover their heads as a form of respect when visiting
the temples.
|
::
Designing the Salwar Kameez ::
The
pictures below will show how I fare in in making the replica
of the Salwar Kameez for my dolls. :D |
|
Left:
A human-size Kameez. Various designs of embroidery and beading
are often done around the neckline. The price of a salwar kameez
often depends on the amount of embroidery and beading work.
Right:
The doll-size Kameez hand made by me. Beads are meticulously
sewed one at a time along the neckline. |
|
Left:
A human-size Salwar. What is different about the salwar from
other pants is the two rows of gathers. One at the waistline,
and the other at the hipline.
Right:
The doll-size Salwar has the same two rows of gathers. |
|
Left:
A human-size drawstring bag, which I used as my cosmetic pouch.
Although this bag is from Nepal, this type of drawstring purse/bag
is popular in the region.
Right:
The doll-size drawstring bag has the same simple mechanism,
with simple beading to match the beading at the neckline. |
|
|
