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THE GENESIS
CHOLI BOLI as the name suggests are garments that speak! The concept evolved when the team behind CHOLI BOLI sat to discuss the limitations in donning a Saree in formal occasions and the general distaste that the younger generation has towards this very Indian dress. We realized that while Sarees evolved over time, the upper garment behind the saree still has a long way to go. One more important factor that went unnoticed through generations was that “blouse” and the current generic avatar that it assumes is highly inspired by the western fashion world. They are tight! They are meant to be tight considering that the humble blouse evolved from the western fashion of tight corseted inner wears – a must in colonial women fashion. Bequeathed to us by the Raj, it was Jnananandini Debi, the wife of Satyendranath Tagore – brother of the famous Nobel Laurette Rabindranath Tagore – who popularized the blouses, jackets, chemises and the modern style of saree today after she was reportedly refused entry to clubs under the British Raj for wearing the saree draped over her bare breasts. “Blouses” were therefore born out of “oppression” and the premise of “fitting in” like Satyendranath’s wife did and like Rabindranath insisted the same upon his wife!
The earliest representations of women in India show them with minimal clothing. Both men and women did not cover much of their torsos. Having said a piece of cloth did cover the breasts over time and they were probably termed “kacholi” worn over “dhotis” (both men and women wore dhoti then). For a really long period of time though women did not wear their “blouses” in the Eastern and the Southern parts of India. By then the “Cholis” had taken birth through the western and north-western parts of India with the fashion acculturisation of the Mughals and the indigenous “kacholis”! Cholis on the other hand were not a symbol of oppression but fashion and had its own language. Ancient Indian calendar art shows them in myriad lengths and the medieval Mughal murals in their varied transparencies. Having said, they became garments that spoke dollops of attitude about the women in that era.
With this idea in mind, the conception of CHOLI BOLI took place. Albeit with the modern twist!
ABOUT CHOLI BOLI
CHOLI BOLI is a unique range of ergonomic cholis that defies “too-tight form fitting” garments to bring you aesthetically designed comfort that speak your attitude. Gone are the days of wriggling into blouses (most times with the help of others) and the days of choosing a blouse to match the saree which covered or draped over you. It is time for bold-speak where you can toss the drape aside to reveal your true nature to the world. Now match the saree with these statement Cholis that speaks dollops of your attitude!
At CHOLI BOLI there are no preconceived notions. At every step we experiment to evolve. You will find our designs fluid and blending into whatever garment you choose to mix and match with it – jeans, skirts, sarees, harem pants, giving you the same feel as in your comfort wears. Our design forward Cholis are made from ethical fabrics and handloom aimed at creating a paradigm shift – to break the suffocating embrace of the blouse too-tight!
INSPIRING BREAST CONFIDENCE
THE GENESIS
CHOLI BOLI as the name suggests are garments that speak! The concept evolved when the team behind CHOLI BOLI sat to discuss the limitations in donning a Saree in formal occasions and the general distaste that the younger generation has towards this very Indian dress. We realized that while Sarees evolved over time, the upper garment behind the saree still has a long way to go. One more important factor that went unnoticed through generations was that “blouse” and the current generic avatar that it assumes is highly inspired by the western fashion world. They are tight! They are meant to be tight considering that the humble blouse evolved from the western fashion of tight corseted inner wears – a must in colonial women fashion. Bequeathed to us by the Raj, it was Jnananandini Debi, the wife of Satyendranath Tagore – brother of the famous Nobel Laurette Rabindranath Tagore – who popularized the blouses, jackets, chemises and the modern style of saree today after she was reportedly refused entry to clubs under the British Raj for wearing the saree draped over her bare breasts. “Blouses” were therefore born out of “oppression” and the premise of “fitting in” like Satyendranath’s wife did and like Rabindranath insisted the same upon his wife!
The earliest representations of women in India show them with minimal clothing. Both men and women did not cover much of their torsos. Having said a piece of cloth did cover the breasts over time and they were probably termed “kacholi” worn over “dhotis” (both men and women wore dhoti then). For a really long period of time though women did not wear their “blouses” in the Eastern and the Southern parts of India. By then the “Cholis” had taken birth through the western and north-western parts of India with the fashion acculturisation of the Mughals and the indigenous “kacholis”! Cholis on the other hand were not a symbol of oppression but fashion and had its own language. Ancient Indian calendar art shows them in myriad lengths and the medieval Mughal murals in their varied transparencies. Having said, they became garments that spoke dollops of attitude about the women in that era.
With this idea in mind, the conception of CHOLI BOLI took place. Albeit with the modern twist!
ABOUT CHOLI BOLI
CHOLI BOLI is a unique range of ergonomic cholis that defies “too-tight form fitting” garments to bring you aesthetically designed comfort that speak your attitude. Gone are the days of wriggling into blouses (most times with the help of others) and the days of choosing a blouse to match the saree which covered or draped over you. It is time for bold-speak where you can toss the drape aside to reveal your true nature to the world. Now match the saree with these statement Cholis that speaks dollops of your attitude!
At CHOLI BOLI there are no preconceived notions. At every step we experiment to evolve. You will find our designs fluid and blending into whatever garment you choose to mix and match with it – jeans, skirts, sarees, harem pants, giving you the same feel as in your comfort wears. Our design forward Cholis are made from ethical fabrics and handloom aimed at creating a paradigm shift – to break the suffocating embrace of the blouse too-tight!
INSPIRING BREAST CONFIDENCE
ABOUT CHOLI BOLI
CHOLI BOLI is a unique range of ergonomic cholis that defies “too-tight form fitting” garments to bring you aesthetically designed comfort that speak your attitude. Gone are the days of wriggling into blouses (most times with the help of others) and the days of choosing a blouse to match the saree which covered or draped over you. It is time for bold-speak where you can toss the drape aside to reveal your true nature to the world. Now match the saree with these statement Cholis that speaks dollops of your attitude!
At CHOLI BOLI there are no preconceived notions. At every step we experiment to evolve. You will find our designs fluid and blending into whatever garment you choose to mix and match with it – jeans, skirts, sarees, harem pants, giving you the same feel as in your comfort wears. Our design forward Cholis are made from ethical fabrics and handloom aimed at creating a paradigm shift – to break the suffocating embrace of the blouse too-tight!