At Aara By Sana, our designs are created using only the finest quality of fabrics. 100% pure Chiffons, Silks and Embellishments handcrafted by the finest artisans globally.
The goal is to create sustainable fashion that doesn't leave a negative footprint. By focusing on quality and producing fewer items, we hope to bring you one of a kind collectible pieces that will pass down for generations to come…all while being environmentally friendly.
While Season1 was made in the garment district of NYC, Season 2 took our designer, Sana back to her hometown of Lahore, Pakistan after a long 18 years. She was immediately taken by abundance of love, food, incredible craftsmanship by local Artisans and the quality of beading & tailoring.
Season2 and Wanderlust would pay homage to the talented Artisans of her hometown.
"My love affair with Chiffon & Kamdani embellishments goes back to my early childhood years in Pakistan. My mothers Chiffon saris were always a personal favorite of mine. It seemed as if they transcended time. Year after year the chiffon got softer and impeccable craftsmanship was always in style. These saris would end up being my favorite family heirlooms and it brings me so much joy to translate this ultra traditional technique on my fabric crush in my modern pieces today."
“I was blown away by the level of skill I saw in the Gullys of Lahore. I quickly realized that the Artisans simply want to create art. Unfortunately, the economics of their countries rarely allow for fair wages. In many cases they are usually overworked and underpaid. I was thrilled at the chance to work with and learn from these OG's. Being in a position to help them provide for their families and their futures was the icing on top."
"They had me from "chalo" hehe! I got to help them...help me and there is NO better feeling than that.”
- Sana
Kamdani 101: Kamdani (also known as Mukesh or Badla) is a metal work technique where a flattened metal wire is pierced through the cloth and twisted to create patterns. This intricate craftsmanship flourished under the Moghul Era and unfortunately there are very few artisans left who currently practice this craft.
Chiffon 101: Chiffon has been produced in India for many centuries, and it is commonly used in saris. As in France and other Western nations, silk chiffon was once used as a status symbol. This fabric is made with different methods depending on the type of material that is used to weave this unique type of textile. The production of silk , for instance, involves the breeding of silkworms, the softening of cocoons, and the reeling of filaments. Polyester production, on the other hand, involves no organic components, and this fabric is made entirely from synthetic chemicals that are synthesized in a laboratory.
Like a faithful lover, lusting for her other half I decide to drive through my city. I grab my post-Covid accessories — no longer a handbag or trendy shoes but rather my Nitrile gloves and my N99 mask that I was lucky to get my hands on during my last trip to Bali — I decide to throw on a dress and some heels – all black everything except for my Yankee hat — as a homage to my beloved city — like dressing for a date — I do my best to look pretty for her!
As I head to my car and begin a familiar journey into the city, I realize that the new “NYC” is not familiar at all…I approach the Holland Tunnel, and for the first time in 3 decades see “ALL TOLLS BY MAIL” pasted across the usually “CASH” lanes - my stomach turns into a million knots. Storming through an empty Holland Tunnel feels even more surreal. If you’re from NY/NJ area you know that no matter the time, you can never get through the tunnel without sitting in some kind of traffic and I do mean NEVER.
It takes a total of 6 minutes from when I got in the car until I cross over to the other side. I drive by a deserted Christopher Street Subway station, an empty Flat Iron building, bare streets, a “vote for Trump” sign that makes me roll my eyes — a closed Gray’s Papaya, a social distancing line outside of Eately. I think about all the homeless people; the thousands that call these streets home - my heart goes out to each of them. I see flocks of police officers, I want to jump out and hug them for their service but I honk, wave and give them my most gratitude filled nod and smile. Pedestrians have been replaced by Food delivery bikes.
I stick my head out of the sunroof, standing up and feeling the breeze while the hubby drives through the streets — taking mental photos and digital ones — after all this may be the most significant event that’s happened in our lives. My need to document everything fueled into overdrive BUT nothing could prepare me for what came next. An empty Times Square — I’d heard all about it, seen it on TV but seeing it in person was something I’ll never forget. I had to get out of the car, walk this moment in time for myself — surely this is something to tell my children and my grandchildren — I take a moment to take it all in. An ocean of memories flooding my thoughts. I hold onto each one, open the notes on my iPhone and I start writing:
Dear NYC,
Like a faithful lover,
I long for you.
I will wait for you.
And when you’re ready,
Ill be here,
Patiently waiting…
for you to once again
light up my heart.
A love letter to NYC written by Sana Ali Khan
]]>Our Designer, Sana teamed up with her kids to create "Kid & Mommy" approved comfort masks for small kids, big kids and mommies! All masks were donated to hospitals in Jersey City and NYC.
"It was very important for me that my boys understand what is happening in the world right now. I wanted to them put in the effort to create something and experience the gratification of knowing that they did their small part in this big picture. In addition, I knew from our personal experience that the mask struggle was REAL. It had been impossible finding masks that 1) Fit the boys and 2) were comfortable enough for them to actually keep on. We went through a few drafts and when the boys finally gave me their stamp of approval and labeled our creation "the most comfortable masks ever", we immediately knew that we had to donate these to kids and mommies locally. We also really enjoyed glamming up women's masks. We tested their breathability, made them reversible, washable and added a leather trim for an extra oomph. We wanted to spoil our local essential workers with a hint of glam" - Sana Ali Khan
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