Ostrakon comes named after the broken shells of pottery that were found carved with messages, by archeologists during excavations of Ancient Greek sites. Ostrakon, as a lehenga, or traditional Indian skirt, is cut in the Indian classical style, with a richly embroidered velvet base that draws upon emblematic motifs taken from moments throughout the basra tapestry - the cage structure, botanical etchings taken from Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, flowers from the Oxburgh hangings etc. Each motif is carved into the velvet, looking almost like the original Ostrakons, using delicate embroidery of a mix of copper-shaded metallic threads and ivory silk threads.
The beauty of Ostrakon lies within its delicate layering, where alternate panels of the skirt have an additional layer of pale blue organza attached atop the velvet, adding an elemental depth and almost-ethereal element to the piece. The lattice of delicate threadwork is continued upon this. Floral, meandering, and almost cartographic in its detail, the sketchbook-style placement of the motifs are accentuated with a drizzle of hand-embroidered pearls of varying sizes, inspired by the grottos in the Pitti Palace, Florence - one of the homes of Catherine De Medici, and a palace that Botticelli himself was known to frequent.
On Custom Sizing - our team will reach out for measurements.
Worn with the Himation Top, and the Sagene Scarf.
Colourway: Eggshell. Copper. Faded Blue
Fit: Flared. Voluminous. Floor Length
Fabric Composition:
Base Panels: Viscose Velvet
Overlay Panels: 100% Silk Organza
Inner: Modal Satin
dry clean only
