Mughal Garden Print

These flowers come from the inlay work of the Taj Mahal: botanical motifs cut from precious stones and set into white marble by 20,000 artisans over 20 years. I redrew them in marigold orange and poppy red on a marble white ground.

The three pieces

The Taj Kaftan is the most versatile thing in the group — a floor-length kaftan in soft viscose that goes from swimsuit cover-up to beachside lunch to sunset dinner on a change of shoes. The Mumtaz Halter Maxi is named for Mumtaz Mahal, the empress the Taj Mahal was built for after her death in 1631; its halter neckline is the dressiest of the three. The Bagh Mini Shirt Dress takes the most reliable shape in a wardrobe and makes it loud — a classic shirt dress carrying a print nobody else is wearing.

Where to wear it

Marigold orange is a colour that photographs against almost everything — sand, sea, tropical green, white marble. These are resort and vacation pieces first: cruise days, beach weddings where you want warmth without competing with the bride, poolside lunches that drift into dinner. The shirt dress works harder and comes into the city with flat sandals and a crossbody.

Fabric and care

The Taj Kaftan is cut from soft viscose, and that is the reason it works as hard as it does — viscose moves and drapes instead of holding its own shape, so the same kaftan reads relaxed over a swimsuit and deliberate over heels. With marigold and poppy on a marble-white ground, the white is the part to protect. Hand wash gently in cold water with a mild detergent, or dry clean, and wash it on its own the first time so the reds settle. Hang dry out of direct sun, and press on the reverse. Kaftan shapes drape rather than cling, so they stay comfortable if you are between two sizes.

Made in a limited run

I draw every print by hand before it goes anywhere near fabric, and each one is printed in small batches with artisans in India. Once a print run sells out it does not come back. Sizes XS to 3XL, with made-to-measure available on every piece.