DUSTY NEHRU VEST
Crafted from 100% handspun, handwoven cotton, featuring hand block printing technique and wooden button closure.
Dry clean only
Size Medium - $329.00 AUD
©Antiek East
Our Dusty Nehru Vest is inspired by the Nehru Collar, also known as the band or mandarin collar, traces its roots to traditional Indian garments such as the achkan and sherwani, worn by nobility during the Mughal era. These garments featured a structured, stand-up collar that symbolised formality and refinement.
During British colonial rule, Indian tailoring began to absorb European influences, particularly sharp cuts, structured silhouettes, and military-style uniforms with high collars. The Nehru collar evolved at this intersection, blending Indian tradition with British tailoring discipline. The result was a cleaner, more fitted silhouette that felt both modern and authoritative.
The style gained global recognition in the mid-20th century when Jawaharlal Nehru adopted it as his signature look, turning it into a symbol of Indian identity, independence, and understated elegance, rooted in heritage, yet shaped by colonial-era tailoring influences.
©Antiek East
© Antiek East
Sourced from Decor Mantra
Hand-block printing represents a centuries-old "gaze" through which India has observed global trade, from the height of the Mughal Empire to the modern day. Historically, these fine patterned textiles were in such high demand that they were worn by French aristocrats and sought after from Persia to China. Even as the British East India Company worked to transform India from a textile manufacturer into a supplier of raw materials, the intricate skill of the block-printer remained a symbol of nationalist pride.
Crafted on fluid Modal silk, our drapes are printed using this very technique. The subtle variations in the motifs celebrate the humanity of the craft, serving as a "nod to architectural and artistic influence" that preceded the era of colonial monopolies. By blending this ancient stamping tradition with contemporary silhouettes, we ensure that the essence of India’s artisan heritage is lived in every piece.
Sourced from fashionrevolution.org
Khadi is a handspun and handwoven fabric that represents the resilience of an Indian textile legacy. Mahatma Gandhi famously championed Khadi as the "fabric of Indian independence," urging citizens to boycott factory-made British goods and adopt "homespun cloth" as a profound act of self-reliance and cultural defiance.
This fabric is celebrated for its unique texture, breathability, and "living" quality, with each piece bearing the individual touch of the artisan, roughly 70 percent of whom are women. Today, Khadi bridges India's proud industrial past with modern sustainable design, serving as a social equalizer that values character over appearance and ethical craftsmanship over mass production.
By promoting the use of the spinning wheel (charkha), Gandhi sought to revitalize rural employment and restore autonomy to village communities that had been decimated by the monopolistic control and "dictated prices" of the colonial era. Beyond its political weight, Khadi embodies a philosophy of slow, mindful making, where the entire process—from picking cotton by hand to spinning and weaving—serves as a return to essentials and a distinct "art de vivre".