Enchanted by embroidery

As a mother of two children aged four and one, she joined Sophia’s B. K. Somani Polytechnic in 1997 for a three-year full-time diploma course in Dress Designing and Garment Manufacturing. Adjudged the best seamstress for each of the three years, Zenobia Davar stood first at the final year technical board exam in the year 2000.

"On the basis of my work, Bridal Asia selected me to participate in their annual exhibition in Delhi,” states Davar, fashion designer and consultant who specializes in fashion wear and embroidery under the label ZS. "I was given one of the largest stalls and 30 of my Indo-Western trousseau and wedding outfits were displayed — saris, kurta with pant, long skirt with zardosi blouse, and so on with matching shoes, purses and other accessories,” she narrates.

Taking orders for the embroidering of wedding and other saris, Davar explains that it takes two-four weeks for her kari­gars (artisans) to complete a bridal sari. "I make my own designs and have many embroidered samples ready — we work on lace, or georgette or whatever the customer desires.” Costs depend upon the embellishments on the sari with pure silver/zari work enhanc­ing price and allure. "We repair and restore old kors too,” she states.

Running her business from her home in Parel behind Haffkine Institute, Davar is appreciative of the support and guidance given by husband Shahrookh, an interior decorator who operates under the name Zenrookh (a combination of both their names, she elucidates) Constructions, dealing also in the restoration of old buildings. "It was my mother-in-law Khorshed who, seeing my love for designing and embroidery, suggested I do a professional course, despite the fact that son Shahzen (now nine) and daughter Zenrookh (now six) were already born,” Zenobia commends her husband’s mother. Baby girl Zeshah arrived last year. Zenobia also tailors children’s garments, cholis, etc, emphasizing that she does all the cutting herself to ensure a good fit.

Savoring the creative and eager to learn, as a Camlin Club member Zenobia joins Camlin’s courses whenever they launch a new product — be it fabric painting, sculpturing (making a figure with m-seal and painting it), stained glass painting, etc.

Zenobia Davar (above, inset) and models displaying her creations

It was Zenobia’s artistic expressions at the Tvashtar 2000 fashion show (where commercial and avant-garde bridal outfits designed, embroidered and stitched by the final year students themselves are showcased by professional models) that captured the limelight. Choosing the theme "Vivacious Venus,” for the commercial garment section Zenobia created a two-piece bridal outfit in silver lame and silver net, the front yoke studded with swarovski crystals giving a gradation effect, the back richly embroidered like a bouquet of flowers, incorporating silk skeins, rainbow cord, chenille (soft tufted silk or cotton cord), trans­parent glass beads, pearls and swarovski crystals. Since avant-garde designing entails the use of materials like plastic, metal, etc for impractical garments (not for daily use), Zenobia derived her inspiration from a plastic tablecloth with a lacy look, on a shiny base. The skirt’s hooped, billowy effect was achieved with galvanized and plastic stiff wire and plastic sleeve, the ethereal aura of Venus being created by the use of colored LED (light emitting diode) bulbs under the skirt, as well as on the veil.

After her schooling at Dadar’s J. B. Vachha High School, Zenobia did her BCom from Lala Lajpatrai College, and a secretarial course at Davar’s College, working with an advertis­ing agency for three years before marriage and motherhood beck­oned. "I sat and embroidered my own wedding sari,” she smiles. With a house, three children and a business to manage, Zenobia has her task cut out but "I’m very happy with what I have.” Zenobia can be contacted on tel nos 4125073, 4139107, 4106568. E-mail: bdavar@vsnl.com