"Indigo fades, blocks reborn,
Ancient patterns, newly worn.
History whispers, textures sing,
Tradition thrives in everything."
Breaking Traditions
Sari ID: 26 2369 BKT AAM
By Mohammed Anas Sheikh
Collection: Journey and Exile
Created by: Mohammed Anas Sheikh, New Delhi
Medium: Vintage block-printing on Kanchipuram silk, 2026
Latest Exhibit: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (March 2026)
Includes: Blouse kit (materials for two blouses) and certificate of authenticity
Care: Dry clean only by a textile specialist
Status: Available for sale
The Artist
Mohammed Anas Sheikh is a textile artist and founder of the clothing label 23°N.69°E. He graduated with a BA (Hons.) in Fashion Design from the Indian Institute of Art & Design, New Delhi, in 2020. His work is inspired by the wide variety of Indian traditional crafts and textiles, particularly Ajrakh block prints. He believes that real work in textiles requires hands-on expertise with an awareness of the socio-cultural context of crafts and artisans.
The Inspiration
In Kutch, Anas encountered forgotten archival blocks, worn with age and layered in dust. He found beauty in their imperfections, seeing them as a starting point for a new vision.
The sari emerges from this dialogue between history and reinvention. While respecting the integrity of traditional patterns, it experiments with unconventional colors to create a layered, contemporary narrative.
This evolution reflects a belief that craft must move forward to stay alive. History survives when it inspires curiosity and a deep, personal connection in the wearer.
From Sari to Art
Creating this sari required careful control over long stretches of silk, ensuring that the natural dyes and motifs were applied without disrupting the zari or overall balance.
Anas used traditional wooden blocks with natural dyes including iron rust black, indigo, and myrobalan, repurposing archival blocks to create layered textures and subtle imperfections that make each sari unique.
Every block impression and color wash is executed to maintain fluidity, wearability, and visual impact, resulting in a textile that is both a piece of art and a wearable homage to centuries of craftsmanship.
Message for the World
This sari invites the wearer to carry the grit of ancient Kutch with a contemporary soul, turning heritage into a personal statement of pride.