HKVBenaras

06/06/2026

Everyone posts trees on World Environment Day.

We wanted to ask a harder question.

Before synthetic dyes existed, every textile in India was coloured by nature — indigo, lac, manjistha, pomegranate rind. Not as an alternative. As the default.

Then 1856 happened. And in less than a hundred years, centuries of knowledge were gone.

At HKV Benaras, we’re committing to a gradual journey towards 100% natural dyes over the next 5–8 years. Slowly. Honestly. Seriously.

Swipe to see the full story.

03/06/2026

From an insect to a rich wine-red hue. 🍷🐞

Lac dye comes from the tiny Kerria lacca, which lives on host trees and produces the natural resin known as lac. During lac processing, a beautiful crimson dye is extracted from the insect’s secretions. With careful dyeing and mordanting, this ancient natural color transforms silk into deep wine, burgundy, and ruby-red shades that have adorned textiles for centuries.

Nature’s smallest artisan, creating one of the world’s most timeless reds. ✨🧵🍷

01/06/2026

Natural indigo is one of the oldest dyes known to humanity.

What you’re seeing here is not just a color, but a transformation.

From indigo pigment mixed in water, to the creation of an indigo vat, to the careful dyeing of silk yarns, cotton yarns, and finally fabric—every shade of blue emerges only after the yarn or fabric meets the air and slowly oxidizes.

The magic of indigo lies in this journey:
💙 Dip
💙 Oxidize
💙 Repeat

For this experiment, we worked with natural indigo and explored its application across different materials, observing how each fiber accepts and reflects the color in its own unique way.

The final result? A deep, living blue that cannot be replicated by simply applying color to a surface.

Which stage fascinated you the most?

CraftKnowledge SlowCraft HKVBenaras IndigoBlue TextileArt SustainableTextiles

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

1. Some visits feel less like shopping, and more like shared respect for craft.
Had a beautiful time hosting Dolly Jain ma’am at our weaving space with my father and elder brother — talking not just about sarees, but the hands, time, and emotions behind them.
2. Before a Banarasi saree reaches someone’s wardrobe, it passes through countless decisions, corrections, experiments, and patience.
Sometimes what looks “simple” takes weeks to perfect.
3. One of the most heartwarming moments was watching Dolly Jain ma’am interact with our artisans — listening to their stories, laughter, even stopping to hear a weaver sing while working on the loom.
These small moments remind us that handloom is still deeply human.
4. In one of our conversations, we were discussing a design that took almost 20 days just to achieve the right balance and perfection.
From motifs to weaving behavior, from color play to structure — every detail demanded multiple permutations before it finally felt right.

An authentic Banarasi saree is never just a product.
It is patience woven into silk.

Grateful for conversations that value the process as much as the final piece. ✨

20/05/2026

Silk dyeing ASMR

20/05/2026

Dyeing of silk yarn with hibiscus floral extract

18/05/2026

Washing the dyed yarns in Reetha based neutral soap for removing excessive dyes