The Story of A Pink Lotus: Tie and dye Saree Design

The Inspiration

In the perpetual warmth of Sri Lanka, where rain rarely falls and the sky stays a steady blue, a unique story unfolds in the northern region. There, the land basks under the relentless sun, its dry plains longing for rain. On one scorching day, I sought solace from the heat at the Tissa Tank in Anuradhapura. Seeking shelter beneath tall trees, their branches provided a cool refuge from the desert-like landscape.

In the shade, I embraced the calmness, letting it soothe me. I watched as the tank’s waters glistened in the midday sun, a peaceful sight in the harsh terrain.

Among the tranquillity, vibrant flowers bloom. The lotus stands out, its petals a captivating blend of dark pink and purple, akin to magenta. Bees dance around, drawn to the dazzling blooms, their wings glimmering as they sip nectar.

Enthralled by nature’s beauty, I couldn’t look away, mesmerized by the scene. Like under a spell, I sat in awe, absorbing every detail, captivated by the beauty around me. Back home in Colombo, I watched raindrops fall outside my window, while lush trees swayed in the wind. Lost in thought, I remembered the lotus’s delicate beauty—its pink petals tinged with purple.

Inspired, I picked up my crayons and let creativity flow. With each stroke, I tried to capture the lotus’s essence, its grace immortalized on paper. Amid my daydreaming, I drew the Pink Lotus, a stunning design inspired by the magnificent blooms at the Tissa Tank.

The Design

Anuradhapura, a cultural city in Sri Lanka with a heritage spanning 2000 years, inspired my latest design. Given that the saree is a traditional garment in Sri Lanka, I decided to create one inspired by the Pink Lotus I saw in the Tissa tank in Anuradhapura. While the rich heritage remained in my thoughts, I wanted the design to reflect the simplicity of the pink lotus, the tank, and the sky. Hence, I chose to use the straightforward tie-dye technique for crafting this saree.

The Color Selection

The color selection of this saree reflects the simplicity of the pink lotus. Therefore, shades of pink are used as the main colors. The glistening water and harsh sunlight are represented by an off-white color.

The Material Selection

The saree is a traditional dress originating from the Indian subcontinent, and it is popular throughout South Asia and the Middle East. Over time, the quality of the material and its aesthetics have continually improved. To maintain its traditional essence while fitting into a modern context, the material chosen should enhance the true beauty of a woman’s figure. Therefore, instead of cotton, voile material has been selected. However, for better draping, a softening process is required after the dyeing process. Pre-scoured voile material has been purchased for the Pink Lotus saree.

The Crafting

The traditional saree is 6 yards long, which is necessary for proper draping. Therefore, 6.5 yards of voile material has been selected, accounting for a 0.5-yard loss due to shrinkage during the dyeing process. The width of the material should be 60 inches. Although the material has undergone a pre-bleaching process, it is recommended to start with scouring to remove all dirt and dust.

Then, the tying process began. Rubber bands were used as the tying material, and the entire 6.5 yards were tied randomly into a fabric ball using rubber bands, resulting in a ball with a diameter of about 1 foot.

Next, the dye solution was prepared using reactive pink dye. Achieving the exact pink color requires dyeing knowledge (recipe formulation) to mix blue and yellow dyes with the pink dye for tonal variations. All dyes should be reactive dyes because voile fabric reacts well with them. A detailed reactive dyeing process will be presented in our next article in the Fashion Artistry and Design section. After dyeing, a soaping process is necessary to wash off the unfixed dyes. Proper soaping ensures good color durability and prevents color bleeding during washing. It is important to include care instructions for washing, drying, and ironing along with the saree.

After soaping, a silicone softener was added to the fabric, but this should be done after removing the ties. Once the softening process was complete, the material was dried using a tumble dryer.

After proper drying, the fabric needs to be well-ironed. The ironing temperature should be set for cotton (~400°F/204°C). Proper ironing is mandatory for a crease-free product. In addition to the saree, a blouse piece, lining for the blouse, and underskirt material were also prepared to offer a comprehensive product, ensuring a hassle-free experience for the customer. The blouse piece was chosen in plain pink to maintain simplicity and align with the pink lotus concept. It was dyed in color #FF49AO, the darkest shade in the color palette.

The Packaging and Marketing

The saree is offered to the end customer in a comprehensive box, which includes the saree, blouse piece, lining for the underskirt and saree jacket, care instructions, and tips for saree blouse design.

A photo shoot has been planned for digital marketing purposes. It is crucial that customers interested in purchasing this product are well-informed about the product and its design. The entire marketing campaign has been conducted on digital marketing platforms, and the product is delivered via courier using the cash-on-delivery method.

The Conclusion

The feedback from customers regarding the Pink Lotus saree has been overwhelmingly positive. It stands out as a unique product that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of customers, the designer, and the brand. For the designer, there’s an immense sense of satisfaction in seeing the final product align so closely with the vision initially conceived. It’s a culmination of meticulous planning, creativity, and craftsmanship, resulting in a saree that embodies the essence of the Pink Lotus inspiration.

Moreover, witnessing the customer’s delight and appreciation for the saree brings an added level of fulfillment to the designer. Knowing that their creation has brought joy and satisfaction to someone’s life is truly rewarding. This positive reception not only validates the designer’s artistic vision but also boosts their confidence in their skills and abilities.

For the brand, the success of the Pink Lotus saree signifies more than just a profitable product. It represents a significant increase in both financial gains and brand value. The rave reviews and customer satisfaction contribute to enhancing the brand’s reputation and credibility in the market. It establishes the brand as a purveyor of quality, innovative designs that resonate with customers on a deep level.

Overall, the Pink Lotus saree stands as a testament to the power of creativity, passion, and attention to detail. It’s a product that not only fulfills practical needs but also evokes emotions and leaves a lasting impression. In the end, the alignment of customer satisfaction, designer fulfillment, and brand success makes the Pink Lotus saree a truly remarkable achievement for all involved.

Model – Namani Athuraliya
Photography – Nishani Dissanayake / Indika Wijewardana
Digital Marketing – Vishwa Rajakruna / Asanka Edirisinghe
Design – Dileepa Fernando
Craftmanship – Ariyasena Fernando / Nirmala Fernando