From a traditional dhoti drape to a glamorous one-shoulder one, a LIVA sari cuts across cultures, moods and aesthetics with its inherent fluidity.

The sari is a timeless classic in the Indian wardrobe. An easy, breezy and extremely wearable piece, it’s the perfect go-to silhouette, no matter what the occasion is. Now, the traditional attire is making a comeback. The modern woman is reinterpreting the drape for the 21st century, adapting it to suit contemporary tastes. LIVA, the new-age fabric from Aditya Birla Group, joins the experimentalists as it leverages the key attributes of the traditional drape and flow.

To reimagine the sari’s age-old elegance, LIVA has taken its first step into the sari category. At the Kolkata Fashion Expo, it presented its latest collection of saris by value-chain partners from prominent hubs (Varanasi, Chanderi, Bhagalpur, Salem, Kolkata, Delhi and Surat), that focused on the natural sheen, drape and softness of the fabric, making the versatile LIVA saris perfect for both occasion and regular wear. With the emphasis on fluid fashion, the event saw the brand hosting a fashion show where saris made from the LIVA fabric took over the runway. The highlight of the evening was an exclusive collection of saris made with the new-age fabric by Indian celebrity Mandira Bedi’s label Mandira Bedi Designs. Bold and beautiful designs were part of the inventive collection and Mandira Bedi brought the show to a close in a stunning red-black LIVA sari.

Taking the sari conversation further, LIVA also hosted a meet for bloggers in Mumbai to encourage women to stay in the moment and be in sync with the world. The #LiveTheFlow event saw Hina Khan, Amyra Dastur and Shibani Dandekar share their experiences of ‘living the flow’ every single day. And Nikaytaa, Sari Researcher and founder of The Indian Draping Company who researches indigenous textiles and drapes of India, presented different ways to drape a sari using LIVA’s innovative range from their partners, including Suta Bombay, Varsha Creations, Haji Usman Ghani and many others.

At the event, Nikaytaa worked with the influencers and draped their saris in unique and fun ways, proving that fashion can be both stylish and eco-friendly. Talking about the draping session at the meet, she explained, “the saris made from the natural fibres were soft and flowy and felt like butter while draping.” On one influencer, she tied an easy-to-wear Odisha Pants drape—a comfortable style that is worn by the dancers of Odisha, giving them plenty of scope for movement. On another, she turned the six-yard staple into a lehenga drape. Perfect for the festive season, this is a sari draped as a skirt with pleats all around the body. Not just this, the sari was secured using a knot at the waist. And the best part? No petticoats. Meanwhile, another influencer was dressed in a one-shoulder drape that is simple to learn, easy to carry and has a modern vibe, making it great for cocktail hour⁠. A variation of the traditional Nivi drape, this sari like any other sari is pleated at the waist. However, instead of taking the pallu across the shoulder, it’s tied at the left shoulder. Nikaytaa even added a belt to cinch and sharpen the look, making it worthy for occasions that transcend traditional festivity.

As she spoke about her love for the silhouette and how the saris by LIVA are reimagining tradition, she went on to explain what being in the moment and living the flow means to her.

“My flow comes alive through living my authentic self,” said Nikaytaa, who tries to live life to the fullest every single day. “The functional sari drapes I wear, the books I read, and the garden that thrives in my home, all allow me to express myself day after day. Living my Flow happens every moment. The fulfilment is in the present journey.”

Needless to say, a LIVA sari is perfect for all women who love the freedom of movement other outfits offer, while wanting the elegance of a sari, because of its ultra manoeuvrable nature. Just twist, tie or wrap the pallu in a style that suits you, so that you’re super comfortable. Whether you want to wear it with strappy flats for work, or with sneakers during a late night flight, whether you want to toughen it up with a bomber jacker or keep it feminine with a flouncy peasant blouse, it’s time to bring the sariback into your everyday wardrobes.

Video and images: Courtesy Liva