NEW DELHI: India-born, international gynecologist and fashionista Dr Sonal Parihar, will flaunt elegant and exquisite, specially made-to-order Lucknowi Chikankari and intricate Zardozi embroidered outfits on the red carpet at the Cannes Films festival in France later this month.
Along with Lucknowi Chikankari, gold Zardozi work, the Maharashtrian Nauvari or the 9-yard sari and the Goan cotton Kunbi saree will be also worn by Dr Sonal at different red carpet events, as well as at other shows and screenings of the Cannes Film Festival.
There are more than ten related or connected events, which are part of the main Cannes Film Festival which is being held between the third and fourth weeks of May this year.
Dr Sonal Parihar, a world-renowned gynec, as well as a Mrs Earth title holder, is a special invitee to the Cannes Film Festival to be held in mid-May this year.
She will be attending most of the main events and film screenings at Cannes as well as other related film and fashion events held in the vicinity of the main film festival and will don four different outfits at four of the main Cannes events, reflecting and showcasing Indian embroidery, Indian fashion and Indian fabrics and weaves.
Four senior craftsmen from Lucknow have put in more than 100 hours of efforts on the chikankari work, while the gold zardozi work has had about 10 traditional artisans working day and night for nearly a month, explains Dr Sonal Parihar, while speaking about the outfits she is going to wear at Cannes.
Dr Sonal Parihar will not only promote India’s rich cultural heritage, but also showcase the craftsmanship and artistry of traditional artisans and craftsmen to the global fashion world.
Who is Dr Sonal Parihar?
Dr Sonal Parihar has been practicing as a gynecologist for the last 26 years and also runs a hospital with her husband. She has dedicated her life to women’s health, healing and bringing new life into the world. She specializes in painless deliveries, endoscopic surgeries and colposcopy. For her medicine is a purpose, not just a professional job.
Besides medicine, she is a fashionista and the winner of the Mrs India title. She also represented India at Mrs Earth International in Las Vegas and won the title. She has walked the ramp for several fashion designers in India at various platforms and, besides medicine, is an authority on fashion and style.
She is also active in the field of medical education and has worked extensively in the women’s health sector as well as with NGOs to promote women’s health and hygiene.
More about Lucknowi Chikankari
Lucknowi Chikankari is a delicate, centuries-old hand embroidery technique from Lucknow, India, characterized by intricate white-on-white, pastel cotton, or silk patterns, often showcasing floral and paisley motifs. Originating in the Mughal era (popularized by Empress Nur Jahan), this GI-tagged, labor-intensive craft features over 36 distinct needlework stitches (e.g., Tepchi, Murri, Bakhiya) and is deeply associated with Lucknow’s cultural heritage.
Key Aspects of Chikankari Embroidery
Origin: Often attributed to Empress Nur Jahan, wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who introduced it to India in the 17th Century.
Core Characteristics: Traditionally, white thread is embroidered on white or pastel-colored fabrics such as muslin, cotton, georgette, silk, and chiffon.
Types of Stitches used in Chikankari:
Tepchi: A long-running stitch that forms the outline.
Bakhiya (Shadow Work): A stitch that creates a shadow effect by working from the back of the fabric.
Murri & Phanda: Tiny, knotted stitches often used to create textured centers in flowers.
Jaali: Delicate net-like stitch, meticulously created by pulling threads apart.
The Process: The process consists of three main stages: chapya (printing or stenciling), tankha (actual embroidery), and dhulayi (washing).
Common Motifs: Inspired by Persian art, motifs are typically floral, including jasmine, rose, and lotus flowers, along with paisley patterns and jaali designs.
The city of Lucknow, particularly the Chowk area, is the heart of the industry and while traditional white-on-white is iconic, contemporary chikankari now includes colored threads, sequins, and beads. The main chikankari work for Dr Sonal’s outfits have been done in the Chowk area of Lucknow.
Intricate Gold Zardozi Embroidery
Gold zardozi is an ancient, luxurious Persian embroidery style (from zar for gold and dozi for sewing) that uses metallic threads to create raised, three-dimensional designs on heavy fabrics like velvet and silk. Historically done using pure gold/silver, while modern zardozi often employs copper wires with gold polish or imitation gold for affordability, frequently adorned with beads and stones, instead of gems and pearls.
Where is Cannes?
Cannes is a renowned resort city located in southeastern France on the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur), within the Alpes-Maritimes department. Positioned along the Mediterranean coast, it is roughly 30 km (15.5 miles) southwest of Nice and known for its sandy beaches, the Boulevard de la Croisette, and the annual film festival.
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