Janhvi wore a purple silk blouse featuring gold brocade embroidery on the back and half-length sleeves, a deep neckline, a contrasting light blue border, and a backless design.

Among life's certainties, says fashion designer Maria Bocoum, is the fact that her native Mali produces the finest dyed brocade in the world. ''It has to be soft, 100% cotton, hand-dyed and gently ...