Raat ki Rani

Raat ki Rani is named for the night-blooming jasmine, the flower that saves its fragrance for after dark, and this outfit shares the philosophy. It is a lehenga-saree in pure chinnon: the flared body of a lehenga below, the draped pallu of a saree above, stitched into one fluid black silhouette with a hand-embroidered blouse at its center. Chinnon is a fine, lightweight silk-family fabric with a subtle crimped texture that makes it drape beautifully and shimmer softly, without the weight of heavier silks. In black, it moves like shadow. The lehenga-saree construction gives you a saree's romance with a skirt's freedom, no pleating skills required and no mid-event adjustments either. This is an after-dark outfit in the best sense: cocktail receptions, evening weddings, formal dinners, New Year's Eve. Diamonds or silver, a sharp lip, and heels that were made for staying late. Raat ki Rani is made to order and handcrafted by artisans in India over 4 to 6 weeks. The queen of the night takes her time arriving. It shows.