Afghan Dress Decoration: "Banjara" Embroidered Bodice Patch

This Afghan heavily embroidered piece of cloth is the central element of a Balochi tribal dress. This "banjara" patch was part of a dress, and is decorated with chain stitched embroidery and shisha mirrors. Although Balochi stitching techniques vary from one region to the next, the most elaborate embroidering is always done on the bodice of the dress and the sleeve cuffs.

The embroidery for the bodice can either be done on the actual fabric of the dress or at times, on a coarser material, which is then stitched onto the dress. Traditional dresses have a yoke under the neckline from which gathered, long panels of fabric flow. Matching cuffed pants are worn underneath the dress. The garments are decorated with embroidery at the yoke, the collar, the bottom of the sleeves and the cuff of the pants.

When a garment wears out, the embroidered areas may be removed and re-used, so several generations might share some of the original outfit. The upper part of the dress and sleeves are also decorated with needlework, a form of artistry that is specific to the clothing of the Balochi women. Often the dress contains round or square pieces of glass to further enhance the presentation.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baloch_people http://daaira.com/baluchi-traditional-dresses/