Kanakavalli's pick for the May edition of The Beautiful Drape is a gorgeous kanjivaram from our design-led Vault collective of classic-format heirloom weaves exclusive to the brand. The traditional ornamentation and dramatic colour play emphasise the inherent geometry of the sari.

The body of the kanjivaram is adorned with gold tissue checks which are woven on both the warp and the weft of the loom, in what is known as a puni design, and dotted with kamalam (lotus) buttas in zari. The contrast borders are embellished with classic woven details, including moplah lines, panneer sombu motifs (drawn from the traditional fragrance holder used to sprinkle sacred water upon guests at weddings), seeru (delicate lines), pearl-like muthu seeru and coin-shaped pavunpet motifs. The pallu, interlocked in the benth technique, is known as a seeru mundi or seeru pallu because it is adorned with delicate muthu seeru lines in zari and thread, forming seeprekku or temple patterns.

Available in multiple striking colourways, this kanjivaram features zari with a composition of 36-38% silver and 0.3% gold.