The sari is considered to be the oldest garment in the world and dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, around 2000 BC, a Bronze Age civilization of South Asia. The word sari could be derived from the Prakrit word 'sattika' meaning women's attire. It could also come from the Sanskrit word meaning strip of cloth.  

The unstitched piece of cloth evolved from an ancient Hindu belief that stitching cloth made it impure. Originally, it was a three-piece ensemble that in time became a single garment wrapped around the body. Ancient Indian tradition believes that the navel of the Supreme Being is the source of life and creativity, thus the sari dress leaves the midriff bare.

The Indus Valley civilization used to spin, weave, and dye cotton. With time, the new trade routs expanded the industry. India remains one of the last handicraft cultures and is a mecca for dying, printing, and silk weaving, all represented in one of its 30 regional varieties of saris. 

Every sari has a story about the society and people around it. It is a piece of fabric that has become iconic and woven into the culture to this day. Shop the Look to celebrate the sari in a creative contemporary curtain.