On display from April 12 in the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, with saris of celebrities such as Jan Taminiau and Lady Gaga.

Woven from silk, steel or worn denim. Knotted, pleated or constricted. Worn in protest, to celebrate something or simply on the way to work. The statement sari is the sari that has been radically updated for today’s world.

This traveling exhibition from The Design Museum in London explores the versatility of the contemporary sari by bringing together approximately 60 groundbreaking saris from designers, wearers and makers from India and the Indian diaspora. Over the past decade, the sari has gained momentum, with designers experimenting with innovative wearing styles and materials, especially aimed at a younger generation in emerging cities. With this exhibition, Wereldmuseum Amsterdam is responding to this renewed popularity of the sari, which has a major influence on global fashion trends.

The sari: innovative in fashion and culture

The globally renowned garment from South Asia has a rich history with diverse cultural influences, but has rarely been exhibited in its contemporary form. The contemporary saris presented in SARI/STATEMENT come from renowned brands from the Indian and international fashion world.

The sari from the fashion house Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, worn by actress Deepika Padukone at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 and the sari from the Indian fashion house Tarun Tahiliani, worn by Lady Gaga in 2011 during her debut show in India, are absolute highlights. The same applies to the stylish minimalist sari by famous fashion designer Sabyasachi and the pink sari by designer Jan Taminiau, worn by Queen Máxima during a state visit to India.

Contemporary makers are experimenting extensively with new and upcycled materials. For example, the exhibition shows a sari covered in sequins made from X-ray film. Hospital waste becomes fashion: designers Abraham & Thakore provide a unique view on the theme of sustainability.

SARI/STATEMENT, Fashion from India, April 12 to November 3, 2024, Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, Linnaeusstraat 2