Supreme: The Offbeat Sari — The Design Museum, London

What an amazing exhibition! Why have I never been to The Design Museum before?

Perfectly curated, The Offbeat Sari displayed a variety of stylings and materials, as well as a whole room devoted to the making of saris, with example of materials and textiles as well as the tools that made them on display. Even better was the information about the designers behind the displayed items, and the meaning — there were leisurewear saris to skate in, to play cricket and move in, to wall climb and to protest for women’s rights and ecological justice in. Pink is not just for Barbies — but for protest…

The layout of the exhibition was perfect too. There was space to look at items without crowding each other. Noticeably people were incredibly kind and considerate of one another — it’s the first exhibition in ages where I haven’t had a phone, camera or other gadget shoved in my face as I’m trying to look at something or read the information card, been crowded, jostled or used as an unofficial tripod. People were really noticing each other and giving space. With a nice mix of displayed garments, beautiful beadwork, fascinating materials and structural styles, gorgeous back drops, with some photos and short films in just a few rooms, it was a great exhibition to sari design and styles. If you had time you could even get styled in one! (I was on a rush tour — thanks trains!)

@ Images are from The Design Museum exhibition, The Off-beat Sari and while not the author’s own, used purely to illustrate the author’s enthusiasm for this fantastic exhibition