What are sustainable materials for and how do they contribute to performance and costume? How do fabrics draw on history, culture and communicate the universal joy of uniting families and communities?

How did a collaboration between arts organisation Nutkhut headed by British Asian artists, Simmy Gupta and Ajay Chhabra with arts management and textile design students result in the design and production of the iconic sari featured in the HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday 5 June 2022?

The sari was the focal point of the procession called The Wedding Party, where two custom-made four-metre-high puppets stood alongside a six-metre high four-tier model wedding cake, accompanied by dancers also wearing the Arts University Bournemouth designed garments and fabrics.

In keeping with Nutkhut’s artistic directors’ backgrounds and very British sense of humour and mischief the five-metre garment featured corgis, afternoon teas and Buckingham Palace, and was selected by Diana Princess of Wales’ personal designer Paul Costello.

The Wedding Party celebrated the universal joy of families and communities uniting through the coming together of two people. Drawing on the collective talent of Mela, it was performed in an elaborate Bollywood style, by two hundred and fifty wedding guest performers of all ages, from London and across the country

The project itself is highly representative of modern Britain and with true sustainable credentials the Platinum Jubilee Sustainable Sari, the 6-metre Wedding Cake & the 4-metre Bride & Groom Puppets kept as a legacy by the organisation for re-use.

Do join in on the 21st of September as renowned textile designer and academic Anne-Marie Howat will be talking about the project as it matured and came to fruition to celebrate the once in a lifetime royal jubilee.