Adornment, reimagined in sweetness.

Created for an international collaboration, this piece honours Banaras and its luminous textile traditions.

The structure takes the form of a Kumkum daani, symbolising marriage and sacred beginnings. Around it unfold floral motifs inspired by Banarasi brocade. Each design was piped dot by dot using icing pointillism, then gently brushed with edible gold to recreate zari shimmer.

Vegan royal icing allowed the surface to resemble woven silk. Filigreed borders and gemstone-inspired detailing echo traditional bridal jewellery. The palette carries warmth, reflecting Indian wedding symbolism and ceremonial elegance.

This creation was rooted in textile-inspired cake artistry. A study of how royal icing can interpret Indian textiles.

In her artistic journey, this piece deepened royal icing artist Prachi Dhabal Deb’s exploration of preservation of traditional crafts. It demonstrated that sugar architecture need not always be monumental. It can also be intimate, symbolic, and richly layered.

Through mindful craftsmanship, Prachi turned adornment into devotion.

Silk, remembered in sugar.