Checkmate dress

This dress is embroidered using zardoshi and aari stitches with cotton embroidery thread. There are three types of metal sequins used, cut and enamelled to Easton Pearson's specifications. Cotton tape was dyed and hand stitched to form differing patterns. Varying sizes and colours of glass beads were used in the design feature, which was inspired by the winged horse of Greek mythology. Zardoshi is an opulent form of Indian embroidery encompassing a variety of needlework and traditional techniques, mostly passed from father to son with secrecy. An aari is a handmade needle, or hook, with a sharp point at one end, used to embroider fabric. It is loaded with beads or sequins and is then pierced through the fabric. The thread, which is under the fabric, is picked up in the hook of the needle.