Kanchipuram saris are hand-woven pieces of art made from the finest silk and gold, which can be traced back some 5000 years to the South Indian Temple Town of Kanchipuram. It has fans across the world. Deepika Padukone wore a Kanchipuram sari for one of her receptions when she wed Ranveer Singh, while other A-list fans include Rekha, Anushka Sharma and Madhuri Dixi.
A Kanchipuram sari gets its brilliant lustre thanks to intricate Zai work (a type of threadwork) made by twisting gold and silver thread together. The threads are then dipped into pure gold to create the border and brocade pattern. Extra? Yes. Completely stunning? Absolutely.
As you'd expect, making an authentic Kanchipuram sari is labour-intensive as well as time consuming, taking up to three weeks to craft. 
How can you tell an original? One way of ensuring authenticity is by checking the sari's width, which should be around 48 inches ( a regular sari is a standard 43-45 inches).
Typically, they weigh up to 2kg, but the record for the most expensive Kanchipuram sari, made by Chennai Silks in India weighed an astonishing 8kg. Costing £50,679, it was opulently studded with precious metals and stones, including gold, diamonds, rubies and emeralds as well as 11 of artist Raja Ravi Varma's paintings.
While a sari like that may be a dream for most of us, you can find lavish Kanchipuram saris in the UK. Casipillai Designer Collection specialises in Kanchipuram saris that are perfect for the Big Day.
Owner Subee Sudharsan said: “We create our own designs and have new collections every season, exclusive to Casipillai Designer Collection. We also offer brides a chance to own a bespoke sari, something majestic she can wear on her wedding day.”
The label’s Kanchipuram saris are exquisitely beautiful and hand-loomed by master craftsmen in India. Made with long-lasting silk, they’ll become a treasured heirloom on your Big Day and beyond.
Casipillai Designer Collection
London Based
www.Casipillai.com
+44(0)7931 615 302
As seen in Khush Wedding Spring 2019 KW21. Buy this issue here