Prints are to fashion what music is to song. Prints add dimension to the fabric and aesthetic beauty to the garment. Bandhini, or ‘tie and dye', is one of the most traditional and oldest printing techniques that has managed to virtually never fade out of the fashion scene. A speciality of Rajasthan and Gujarat in India, bandhini prints are going places, what with the patterns being featured in the latest spring summer´09 collection of designer Alberta Ferretti, DKNY, Oscar De La Renta, Marc Jacobs and Tarun Tahiliani. Requiring skilled and creative craftsmanship, it is done mostly on light body cloths such as, cotton, silk, muslin and other fabrics, and the embellishments of silk thread work, sequins, beads, stones, mirrors and zari embroidery on it adds to its uniqueness. The tying and dying process involves the tying of the cloth with thread and then dyeing, after which the fabric is washed and degummed. The various designs vary from place to place and reflect the culture of that place. These include geometrical borders, large sunburst-like dots, and animal motifs. The leheriya pattern, meaning waves, is especially popular. Bandhani typically brings to mind a riot of colors, with its commonly used vibrant colors, such as, red, saffron, yellow, green and black, giving the garment a festive feel. Bandhini dupattas in single, twin-colored, three colors or more are very attractive and go well as a stole with western outfits as well. For greater longevity, bandhini garments should always be dry
