Esha Gupta pays homage to her family’s legacy with this stunning Benarasi silk sari passed down from her grandmother.

Esha Gupta’s affinity for her collection of Benarasi silks resonates deeply with her appreciation for family heirlooms. Long before thrifting became a conscious choice, Indian families were pioneers in embracing hand-me-downs. From donning overalls passed down from elder siblings’ childhood closets to proudly wearing age-old saris once adorned by beloved mothers and grandmothers, many of us have grown up in households where treasuring and reusing family heirlooms is not just a tradition but a heartfelt expression of luck and love.

Recently, Esha Gupta took to her Instagram to showcase one of her grandmother’s silk saris, paying homage to the legacy of family heirlooms. Gupta’s choice of a tangerine Benarasi silk sari offers a refreshing perspective and embodies the spirit of the spring season. Reflecting on the history of these exquisite saris, each piece was meticulously crafted for royalty, often incorporating genuine gold and silver threads and requiring up to a year to complete.

The use of jacquard pit looms to weave the fabric adds significant artisanal value and heritage prestige to India’s rich fashion landscape. In contemporary times, designers such as Raw Mango, Anita Dongre, Ekaya Banaras, Tilfi, and Shanti Banaras have infused their creative vision into these pieces while safeguarding the traditional art form.

Our fashion sensibilities are often influenced by the significant figures in our lives, particularly the strong women within our families. Angela Missoni, for example, followed in her mother’s footsteps by joining the family business, while others like Diane von Furstenberg are committed to upholding the bold legacies of the women who preceded them.

In essence, the timeless elegance of Benarasi silks and the tradition of cherishing family heirlooms continue to inspire and shape our sartorial choices, reminding us of the profound connection between fashion, heritage, and the women who define them. Through these garments, we not only honor our ancestors but also carry forward their stories and legacies, weaving together past, present, and future in threads of tradition and love. As we adorn ourselves with these treasures, we become custodians of our heritage, walking embodiments of the rich tapestry of our cultural history.