Description
Venice Noir is a two-piece set in black silk. The kurta is short — falling to the hip — with a round neckline and organza sleeves that are sheer and structured. The organza sleeves carry scalloped cutwork detail along the cuff edge, with crystal embellishment finishing the cutwork pattern. The sleeves are three-quarter length and are the most formally crafted element of the piece.
The body of the kurta is plain black silk — no surface print, no embellishment. The entire decorative energy of the piece is concentrated at one place: the hemline. A printed band runs along the bottom of the kurta in multicolor — white botanical forms, a band of orange, red, and teal — an unexpected burst of color at the exact point where the black ends. A scalloped organza overlay sits above this printed hem, its scallops edged in crystal embellishment, so the transition from black to color is not abrupt but layered.
The bootcut trouser is plain black cotton — unembellished, straight through the hip, widening at the knee. The trouser exists to extend the black of the kurta downward so the hemline detail reads as a horizontal band of color rather than the bottom of a short top. The cotton gives the trouser more structure than silk would — it holds the bootcut shape cleanly and does not cling.
Venice Noir is the most contemporary piece in the Silk Collection and the one that translates most directly to a Western wardrobe. It reads as a co-ord before it reads as South Asian fashion — which was intentional. It is named for the city that made that crossover feel natural.
Named for Venice Beach, Los Angeles — where the boardwalk meets the canals, where black is always in style and color arrives unexpectedly in the street art on the walls. The piece that is serious until you look at the hem.
Details
- Fabric Black silk short kurta with organza sleeves · Black cotton bootcut trouser
- Print Black ground with printed hemline detail in multicolor — white, orange, red, teal
- Craft Organza sleeves with scalloped cutwork detail · Crystal embellishment at cuffs and hemline · Scalloped organza hem overlay
- Includes Black silk kurta · Black cotton bootcut trouser
Care
- Cleaning Dry clean only. The organza sleeves, the cutwork detail, and the crystal embellishment all require professional handling. The printed hemline band is also vulnerable to water — the multicolor print can bleed if wet.
- Storage Hang both pieces on padded hangers. Store the kurta so the organza sleeves hang free rather than being folded at the cuff — the scalloped cutwork edge at the cuff is shaped and will crease if folded repeatedly.
- Steaming Steam the black silk body of the kurta from the reverse side on a low setting. For the organza sleeves, steam lightly from the reverse side at a greater distance — at least 20 cm — organza develops shine marks easily under direct steam. Do not steam the scalloped organza hem overlay directly — allow it to hang and release creases naturally, or steam from the reverse side only. The crystal embellishment at the cuffs and hem should not receive direct steam. The black cotton bootcut trouser can be steamed directly on a medium setting — cotton is more forgiving than silk and responds well to direct steam.
- Ironing Press the plain black silk sections of the kurta on the reverse side with a pressing cloth on the lowest silk setting. The black cotton bootcut trouser can be ironed on the reverse side with a pressing cloth on a medium setting — cotton presses well and holds a clean line. Do not iron the organza sleeves — organza will develop permanent shine marks. Do not iron the scalloped hem overlay. Steam those sections only.
Disclaimer
A Note on the Nature of Handmade
Every Rumor piece carries the character of the hands and materials that made it. Subtle variations are not imperfections, but part of what makes each garment singular.
Color
We take great care to represent each color as faithfully as possible. Still, slight variations may occur between what you see on screen and the garment you receive. The nature of fabric dyes, conditions during the dyeing process, photography, lighting, and individual screen settings can all influence the way a color appears.
Handcrafted Fabrics
Handwoven and handcrafted textiles may reveal irregular threads, variations in the weave, or small marks left by the making process. These are inherent to the material and a quiet signature of its authenticity. We believe the beauty of something made by hand lies, in part, in the evidence that a hand was there.
Measurements
Because our pieces are cut, stitched, and finished by hand, measurements may vary slightly from one garment to another. A variation of up to ±2 inches falls within our accepted tolerance.
No two handmade pieces will ever be entirely identical. We would not want them to be.
Make it Modest
Adds full-sleeve lining, inner layering beneath any sheer fabric, and an extended slip through the midriff, so the piece stays fully covered without changing its silhouette or design.