Textile Tuesdays: The Art Of Suzani
Did You Know our embroidered pieces are made from a textile called Suzani?
Let’s talk about it…
Suzani or Sozni is a traditional hand-embroidered textile from the Kashmiri region of India, with deep roots across Central Asia that was brought south in the 16th century.
The name comes from the Persian word suzan, meaning “needle.” Each panel is carefully embroidered by hand, making every piece unique and a celebration of skilled craftsmanship.
Traditionally, Suzanis were embroidered by brides and their mothers as part of a wedding dowry. They were gifted on the wedding day to symbolize the joining of two families and carried wishes for luck, health, abundance, long life, and fertility.
Every motif stitched into the fabric tells a story.
Gorg, So How is Suzani Done and What Do You do with it?
Each Suzani begins with fabric panels that are carefully prepared before the design is sketched by hand.
Using traditional chain, satin, and buttonhole stitches, skilled artisans embroider every motif one stitch at a time. Because every panel is made by hand, no two are exactly alike. The natural variations in the fabric, dyes, and even the thread dye lots mean each piece has its own unique character and colour story.
The process can take days—or even weeks—depending on the size and complexity of the design.
Each fabric panel either makes one of our duster jackets OR two of a kind shorter jackets. Any remnants are then made into the bags we carry so nothing is wasted.
Tell us more...
At French Toast, for our Isla and Paloma Jackets, we use the Bukhara style of Suzani, known for its bold colours and beautiful pomegranate motifs.
The symbols used in pieces also have their own meanings. some common motifs and what they mean are:
Pomegranate — abundance & fertility
Vines & leaves — growth & vitality
Sun & moon motifs — harmony and the rhythms of life
Every piece honours generations of artistry while bringing this timeless textile tradition into modern wardrobes.