Vastra Shobha holds antique textile exhibition in New Delhi

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Oct 24, 2019

Shobha Deepak Singh has brought her antique saree exhibition Vastra Shobha back to the capital for its latest edition at the Kendra Art Gallery. The exhibition runs from October 24 to 26.

Saree expert Shobha Deepak Singh launched the latest winter edition of her bi-annual saree exhibition in the capital on Thursday to display a selection of antique sarees and textiles. The Vastra Shobha exhibition includes silks, Ikats, Patolas, and Banarasi sarees, as well as a range of colourful dupattas, according to the event’s press release.

“Since a lot of women wear salwar kameez these days, there is also a collection of some of the best dupattas,” said Singh before the exhibition launched, according to the brand’s press release. “There will also be a lovely collection of antique borders.”

Singh, who held her first saree exhibition 25 years ago, also runs the Vastra Shobha boutique where she retails textiles sourced from across India, some over 100 years old. The textile selection features both pristine vintage pieces as well as restored pieces. 

“It all started when my daughter, who was about to get married brought me some antique saris,” Singh said about how she started her brand. “I placed an order for 50 saris for her and the family but since the weavers would make at least four of each sari, I held an exhibition to sell the rest of them. I realised then that there is a niche market for antique and heritage textiles… And now, I have come to a point when I have probably the best collection of antique textiles in Delhi.”