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Long before they appeared on international runways, ikat silks were woven by hand in the Fergana Valley. Today they are one of the most exciting ways to bring heritage into a modern wardrobe.
What are ikat, adras and atlas?
Ikat is a resist-dyeing technique: threads are tied and dyed before weaving, which creates the softly blurred patterns. Atlas is pure silk; adras is a silk-cotton blend with more structure. The town of Margilan is famous for its workshops, where you can watch the process.
Five ways to style it now
- An ikat jacket over a white tee and straight-leg jeans
- A silk ikat skirt with a fine black knit
- An adras blazer as the statement in an otherwise neutral outfit
- An ikat scarf tied to your bag for a pop of colour
- Ikat accessories: earrings, a clutch or a hair scarf
Let the print be the hero: pair it with solid neutrals and simple jewellery.
Buying responsibly
Hand-woven ikat takes days to make. Buy directly from workshops and local designers when you can, and ask about the fabric. Real silk feels cool and has a gentle sheen.
Cover photo: Adras ikat “Doiragul”, by Panpanchik, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
The AZIZANOVA Letter
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