Ten Second Takeaway
Intricately embroidered by super skilled karigars, Azad Tailor has been doing kurta pajamas and sherwanis for about 100 years. Popular with generation after generation of Delhi families, Azad Tailors still caters only to men, and boasts of a 'Rajwada Andaz' that's hard to miss.
A family man
Off late, men have taken the age old kurta pajama up quite a few notches, teaming it with Nehru jackets, tastefully embroidered sherwanis, pop colour pocket squares… the works. I’ve grown up associating the kurta pajama with cottons for bed time, and silks for Diwali or a mehendi. Turns out, I was about 100 years behind; a certain gentleman had already cracked it years ago.
About a century ago, Haji Islamuddin set up Azad Tailor, a small shop in Chandni Chowk, bang at the entrance of the famous shoe market. Now a third generation family-owned store, Azad's man in charge, Nooruddin, very proudly told me how nothing but the counter top of the store has changed. They've dressed three generations of some rather illustrious Delhi families; to this day, Azad Tailor caters only to men, doing hand stitched and hand embroidered kurta pyjamas and sherwanis.
Suit up!
So, gentlemen looking to invest in more than just the standard suit with five shirt and tie options, join the ladies on their next trip to Chandni Chowk. Azad Tailor stocks fabric, but you can also take in your own. They’ve got their own designs, but if you want a design or style replicated, they have both the skill and the experience. Masterji finalises the design and cuts the fabric, and then the skilled karigars take over to do the famous kadhai embroidery. They work on fabrics like Bangalore silk, Matka silk, and Banarasi silk. They are famous for their kingri work, and also do chikan work, so gentlemen, go with a game plan.
The Pathani kurta with the Jawahar jackets are the current rage at Azad Tailor. Azad Tailor also does a range of kurta pajamas for the summer, including dressy ones, in fabrics like cotton, and other fabrics that breathe. Rich material with intricate embroidery, their ‘Rajwada Andaz,' as they put it, is unmatched. Be prepared to order more than a few.
Super affordable, you can mix and match jackets and kurtas, so you have the luxury of not having to repeat your clothes.
Where: Azad Tailor {behind Kathraneel}, Balli Maran, Chandni Chowk
Contact: 011 23911509
Price: A simple cotton kurta pajama starts at INR 1,500, inclusive of the fabric; Pin Tuck kurtas for parties and wedding dinners start at INR 6,000; The Jawahar jackets start at INR 4,000