Bespoke Silk Ikat Jacket is a Treat

Long time, no see. Almost a year since I last posted.

There have been many news and adventures, and I would not know where to start, but today I just want to share photos of a new silk ikat jacket that my mother made for a customer. All our clothing is made fully bespoke and so it fits perfectly.

It is a fully lined jacket, boxy cut, with a polo collar. We love how it turned out and so does the customer.

If you like it, you can order a similar one in our Etsy shop.

Blue Like a Dream - Vintage Russian Scarf

There's not much to say about this cobalt blue Russian scarf. It is just beautiful with the lace-like pattern and clusters of roses and bluebells. Even though it is not large - about 34 inches - it is very visible. I think it can look amazing with denim of a proper shade. It is available in our Etsy shop here.

A Stunning Russian Shawl with Roses and Hydrangea

Some Russian shawls just have to be shown to the world. This one, for instance - full of fiery roses and lace - like hydrangea - is one of the most beautiful shawls I have ever seen. These richly coloured flowers really stand out against jet black background. I do not think the shawl has a name - could not find anything in the archive - but it does not really matter, for "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", and this beauty is sold, anyway. I just wanted to keep the photos here.

We have many more beautiful Russian shawls in our shop here.

Russian Scarf Seen Anew: A Puffer Scarf in Russian Patterns

I have been thinking much about scarves recently. We love making scarves from Uzbek silk or Russian shawls, but we were mostly making infinity or circle type. We love infinity - we adore infinity - but certainly there should be other options?

I was thinking of a practical scarf, easy to wear, not prone to wrinkling, sturdy and long lasting and warm. I hate scarves that can be ruined easily; graze them with your nail and there is a snug, touch them with your ring and there is a hole. Oh, no. I am for spending money in a reasonable way, at least this is what I try to do with mine. I also needed to take the latest fashion trends into consideration. Iceberg, Balenciaga and Chanel displayed puffer scarves in their Fall/Winter 2016-2017 collections.

(source: Pinterest) 

All these arguments combined, I came to a perfect decision (we'll see!) - a puffer scarf! These have been seen on runways lately, and they are just the perfect combination of practicality and beauty.

So... we came up with these!

Frankly, I think it is insanely beautiful.

This is a fantastic patchwork scarf made from various vintage shawls. My mother did her best to arrange a striking array of colors and patterns. I cannot even decide which side I prefer.



These flowers are so lovely.

The opening for the tail of the scarf is large and sturdy.

And this is the general view. I can tell my mother enjoyed making this scarf!

I think it is a unisex scarf; I can easily see it worn by a man or woman.

The scarf can be bought in our Etsy shop. I will list more scarves very soon. In the meantime, the sneak preview!

A Hand Block Printed Vintage Russian Shawl with Mirabilis

 ...Long time, no see. I know I am supposed to write more often, but my real life has been too busy lately. I will write an update later - it will also help me to take stock of my news - and in the meantime I just want to share this fantastic vintage hand block printed shawl that I have in stock currently.

The shawl is brilliantly bright, even for a vintage piece (modern ones are mostly muted, but vintage were bold and rich). This one is especially vibrant. I love those huge flowers - they certainly make a statement - and the relaxed ease of the drawing, where flowers seem to be moving under the wind. Their playful disarray lends a lot of life to the print. I think that the lily-like flowers are actually Mirabilis jalapa, the marvel of Peru or four o'clock flower, that blooms at night - they are very popular in Russia.

This is a fantastic Russian shawl; they do not print them by hand anymore, which is a good thing, since this was a very hard and harmful work to do. However, these shawls are amazing, and I love them much more than modern mass produced specimens. For now, it is available in my Etsy shop, MulberryWhisper.

Autumn is Here

“Still Life With Birds And Fruit, And A Cat” by Frans Snyders, Antwerp 1579 – 1657

I was in the mood to look at some works by old Flemish painters today. I think that this one, by Frans Snyders, is my favorite at this point - an epitome of ripe and mellow autumn. Note the cat on the right! I also made an Etsy Treasury today that reflects the same mood, even if the color match is not perfect. Still, the same colors, rich but subdued, and the poetry of an overgrown garden full of last autumn roses and overripe fruit. You can see the full version with active links here. 

Uzbek Suzani Pillows in the Colours of Fruits and Flowers

If I could wear these suzani pillows on a necklace, I totally would. They might be the most beautiful pillows we have had to date. They are made from a very vintage suzani and I just love them. They truly convey the spirit of traditional Uzbek embroidery. The raised design and rich colours make them especially attractive. Their colour scheme makes me think of Uzbek fruits which are incredibly sweet and fragrant. 

It looks a bit like a hooked rug to me. Actually the technique is quite similar.

We thought that denim was a good addition to the suzani. It is so modest, a perfect frame for the ornate embroidery. These embroidered cushion covers will look amazing in a vintage or bohemian room adding a spicy accent. They look fantastic next to my Tabriz rug, too. And of course they are stunning when placed next to a Russian shawl!

As I now have a traditional Uzbek house in the countryside, I think I am keeping one pair of these. Another pair is on sale in our Etsy shop here.

Vintage Hand Block Printed Russian Shawl: A Must See

I know I have been away for ages, and I do have a lot of news (which is why I did not have time to write). I promise to correct this, but for now I will just show a very unique and vintage Russian shawl that we bought recently. It is new old stock with a tag, and it is at least 50 years old. It has a field of flowers on soft ivory background, and there are also the prettiest tiny branches and twigs which make the print very elegant.

Such delicate and airy print is not often found in Russian shawl. This shawl is like a fine china or elegant lace.

The fine and soft wool drapes like a dream.

And I am always fascinated by hand block printed shawls, because they are so alive. They seem to breath. All the small imperfections are very dear to my heart - you can see that the shawl was made by people, not by metal monsters spitting dyes.

This is a very old tag. The "Weaving and Decoration Factory Named in the Honor of 10 Years' Anniversary of the Red Army" was reorganised back in 1963, so the shawl dates at least to that year, making it 50 years old. However, we feel that it belongs more to the 1950s.

The shawl is available in our Etsy store here.

A Very Unique Dress from Uzbek Silk

...We are having a very busy spring; kids have Taekwon-do competitions, we have a lot of work to do, and I also resumed running and working out with weights. I feel a bit guilty about not writing, but not overly so, as I decided that, when choosing between writing and sleeping, I must sleep.

However, this is something I want to share. A new dress fully designed and made by my mother is always a bit of a special event to me, and this one is a very unique dress. It is made from highly unusual Uzbek silk with a very wild ethnic print - I have only seen a similar fabric once. It is many years old, was stored in a chest for ages, and it looks amazing. All these designs are based on ancient rituals and beliefs and are said to incorporate symbols that protect from evil and grant health and prosperity.

The dress is voluminous, flowing and gleaming. It has a deep plunging v-neck and kimono sleeves. I really, really like it, and I am a bit jealous of someone who will buy it. I love both the fabric and the design. But, realistically, I do not wear black and white, so I could not have it to myself, anyway. I hope someone who buys it will wear and enjoy it a lot. I will ask my mother to make a similar dress for me, in colors that will look good on me. She loves working with Uzbek fabrics, as did her mother and aunt before her - both were well known fashion designers here in Uzbekistan.

The dress is for sale in our Etsy shop, Mulberry Whisper, and I do not expect it to last long. It fill fit Large and Extra large sizes.