At this moment we are still extremely busy imagining that the lockdown will end, the restrictions on weddings and gatherings will ease and our appetite for beauty and celebration will return. It would be tough to predict the new landscape of the wedding fashion but all we can assure for now is that the new wedding wear would be more classic but, hey, remember your nuptials are just yours. They can be as unique as you want to make them, and this season is no different. What is different is however the new set of trends couples may want to incorporate into their special day, being more conscious about the footprint they leave with their wedding, feeding a fresh trend in the bridal industry: “the minimony” .i.e., with the gathering of not more than fifty guests, the weddings and ceremonies have taken a back seat for now with sustainability as the driver.
From pearl and crystal-embellished beauties that ooze elegance and romantic vibes to all-traditional effortless looks, we have seen almost all of the varied styles but weddings this season would no longer be about glitz and bling, the brides want to wear clothes which are breathable, light-weight and sophisticated, that’s why they are opting for fabrics such as mul, muga, summer silk, tussar or even regenerated fabrics for the easy-breezy vibe, welcoming the return of the handicrafts with the silhouettes that can adapt ever-changing versatile trends. Rewinding or inheriting the sarees from our mothers and grandmothers and recycling them to create trousseau pieces is one of the aspects of sustainability, keeping the traditions on-going and the weaves alive for generations holding onto the emotional regards. The intimate weddings would surely allow us to take things up with simplicity in a contemporary style, not going bold with either outfit, makeup, or jewellery. The ethnic yet ravishing look can be achieved if we go simple and moderate paired with classic jewellery and OTT make-up.
We usually love seeing the new trends that determine the photos of the weddings, even when we are not engaged we take pleasure in pouring over the arrangements. For quite some time now, weddings have been following the design sensibility that makes them well-photographed, now fashion too has to be ready for the makeover especially as the weddings are going micro. The couples are not just keeping up with the styles and colours but are fulfilling their responsibilities towards nature too with the environment on the top of their minds, concentrating on every detail, not just bridal sets but from food to decoration, focusing on the things that matter and celebrating it in a meaningful, personal way.
Category: Standard
May
May
Emerging from a world of trending
hashtags, these 5 unconventional stylists are redefining the way we’re looking
at fashion, especially in a post-pandemic era.
Beyond the glamour and elegance of celebrity-styling, their perspective focuses on the changing curve of the industry, towards authenticity and the raw essence of fabric.
Ekta Rajani, a freelance creative consultant is revisiting the memory lane to glean eco-conscious lifestyle tips and tricks, while staying true to character and opening a canvas for sustainable fabrics to paint a story within the fashion frame. Inspiring mindfulness in everyday life, she inspires a creative outlook towards going 100% sustainable.
Anushka Sharma looks comfortable in her skin thanks to the precise balance that Allia Ul Rafai puts into styling. Choosing the right fabric and molding the look to reflect the self is an art that she has practiced for long, bringing character into each outfit with an innate sense of confidence. Style is not imitation, but rather a reflection of who we are inside.
Similarly, the flow of a garment dictates the way a look comes across on camera. Who can understand this better than Devki, styling Taapsee Pannu with an insight into the chic-urban scene while being aware of the energy that she portrays. The crisp minimalism complements the bubbly flair nature in each look. This insight develops into each outfit looking tailored to fit not just her form but also her mood.
This vibe harkens to return to Indian roots with ‘Who Wore What When’ by Pranay Jaitly and Shounak Amonkar. An Indo-modern touch to each silhouette makes their styling unique in its taste and framing. Tradition flows easily within the threads looping an urban silhouette while the continual feminity is punctuated by effortless undertones of liberty.
This understanding stems from conscious sensibilities that call to the unveiling of a façade in which the industry has been wrapped, instead, manifesting a raw aesthetic that reveals the truth behind the look rather than carpeting it. As we step into a sustainable era, these stylists remind us that it’s equally important to be true to our roots and to enhance the sense of self for a more authentic world to thrive on-screen.
Apr
From elephantine tusk figurines to antelope necklaces, these 5 labels have adopted animal motifs from mythology, long tropical leaves into metallurgy and curated a bespoke Indian versatility for the discerning consumer, all within the framework of unconventional meets conventional.
Among them is En Inde, an Indo-french philosophy manifested in mathematical shapes enclosed in Indian talismanic structures. Empowering women artisans and macrame weavers from Karnataka, this label also curates a nationwide art sphere into its jewelry. The Longpi black pottery of Manipur and a jute-steel blend of structures find a place in En Inde’s organic niche, as the label also actively engages in sustainable development.
Nassarius, the prehistoric seashell used as jewelry is a name that befits this exquisitely curated label. The bespoke jewelry borrowing inspiration from traditional pearl, gold, and indigenous sets meets foreign perspectives, reimagining handcrafts of India in it’s raw, undiluted essence. They have an organic approach in the making of these statement pieces, keeping the process as natural as it used to be in the yesteryears, making Nassarius a second-generational mystic blend of antiquity and modernity.
Subtly underlining urban art, Anomaly by Anam is a muse drawn onto the canvas of your skin, by the careful deliberation of each piece coming together innovatively. In the modern art reflections, there lies a dramatic sensibility, bringing the abstract into keen detailing of Indian motifs.
Another label that stands testimony to the skill of Indian metalsmiths and artisans is Dhora India, creating urban and edgy pieces that unveil from within the soul of Indian heirloom. Taking stories of the street to the tenacity of silver-brass tinged in gold, this label curates geometric narratives encompassed by the circular framework. This intrinsic storytelling makes Dhora jewelry one of it’s kind.
Manifest design has a niche in creating timeless pieces that explore a fresh outlook on mementos infused with the soul of artisans. Rekindling forgotten dreams, these pieces reshape a conventional vocabulary into an inherently raw and dynamic aesthetic.
In the auld lang syne of Indian craftsmanship, we find these explorative tendencies, from an array of techniques used to create prehistoric coral-bone jewelry to blending gold with brass-copper to form first pieces of metallic ornaments. These labels are born from an eco-conscious mindset of cherishing the ancient process while adapting signature designs to an urban tapestry, manifesting it’s intrinsic handpicked alchemy.
Jan
Within the boundaries of Indian ensembles, adding her own vivid touch, Arsheen Sabherwal defines her eponymous label with a sparkle of creative intellect. Poised over the balance of silhouette and color palette, the ensembles are a resonance of Indian luxury wear with a modern spin.
Through the sheer flow, the detailed work sifts through sequins, embroidery, and mirrorwork to bring a glaze to a simple fabric. Handpicked fabrics wrap around like a breezy conversation, with the casual ease of a long-standing appreciation.
The unique aesthetic seeps in, enhancing the occasion, and making the outfit a show-stopper for the festive season. The handcrafted designs are deliberately interactive, versatile in their movement, and eye-catching in the structure.
The architecture of the ensembles is a Zaha Hadid reflection, with curves and twists, a meticulously crafted grandeur. Framed in a glamorous adaption and creation, Arsheen Sabherwal refines luxury with a gold plated algorithm, designing the essence of Indian royalty.
A glimmer of Arsheen Sabherwal introduces the label as a joyous celebration with a deeper significance behind the scenes.
Jan
Once framed as the dying art of India, hand block printing has recently gone through a renaissance period, making it to the haute couture boutiques. It is gaining popularity through the fusion of the detailed symmetry of yesteryears and the silhouettes of urban chic ensembles.
At Navya, the past and the future are threaded together; Indian culture edging onto western styles, flourishing in the essence of individuality. Amita Adlakha, the founder of Navya, believes that on Chanderi silk and pure cotton, the added hand embellishments of sequins and beads make the artisans valued work stand out in synchronization with the hand-printed work.
Navya as a brand, endeavors to adorn the hues of Indian artistry, to gather the handmade stories of hand block printing, imprinting them with fresh perspectives.
The recognition of an age-old craft gives the admirer a bright outlook, a better understanding of where this evergreen art comes from.
A collaboration of the old with the new is what Navya stands for. ‘Navya’, a word for this nouvelle mode, suits the brand perfectly as it embodies the technique which has it’s rooted in the salt marshes of Kutch, adopting it on bold and modern silhouettes of today.
Dipped in ink of indigo and iron blend, this printing showcases poetic equilibrium. Using an incredible variety in a single form, their handcrafted design placements create a symphony of lightly layered prints and dark block imprints.
Bringing back to life local Rajasthani craft, Navya’s design philosophy suggests a vibrant outlook to a classic style.
Jan
As a culture that has it’s depth and meaning in textiles, we tend to dismiss fashion as haute couture nonsense. Little do we know where it comes from.
In small villages in Maharashtra and Karnataka, local experts in ancient art, are weaving Khunn to create styles that aim to boom internationally. From a fabric that every home in these regions has seen, Vaishali S Studio creates innovative forms with a global appeal.
While we sit in our off the counter, mass-produced lives, she’s bringing back local style, nonchalantly disregarded. Using a sharp needle and wit, she revives Khunn, recoining elegance in thread work. The beauty of the fabric is in imprints narrated in a vocabulary of sun, stars, animals, and diamonds. Homespun threadwork is rhythmic, a clock turning back time, breathing life into this dying fabric with each handloom’s motion.
Taking this textured design, Vaishali S Studio gives it a signature touch: wearable art. Building a new-age sensibility, they intellectually shape silhouettes to change the way your wardrobe designs your lifestyle. Beyond aesthetic, drapes and folds in sheer grace, defines the architecture of their garments.
In global identities that we forge so easily, our individuality is often left stranded. And subtle art is never fanatic; it aims to merge, to blend the traditional into a worldview that attracts a wider audience.
Vaishali S Studio is making a humble attempt to give voice to old local stories in a world where everything is freshly trending. In this endeavor, each feather-light thread becomes heavier, not as a burden but as a memory, Khunn, becoming a requiem for tomorrow.
Jan
Founded in the chaos of Starbucks-hopping and millennial reality, Ploti is a bunch of whiz artists, savoring moments with a touch of quirky creativity. Our love for minimalistic aesthetic and beige precedes our reputation; to say the least, we’re a bunch of lunatics fanatic about design and brand philosophy.
From a team that fits sweet n’ low in a teaspoon, Ploti, as a concept has a distinctive quality that makes you want to stay and explore. The vibe you get here is tranquil in the weaves that thread us together, genuine in the bricks that have built us a home. Exuding soothing, clean energy, we try to blend simple humanity into an adaptable brand impression.
A fashion & architecture communications agency, we aim to bring this same delicate balance to our clients. Our unwavering belief in organic growth and giving a soft feel to hard edges, makes us value honest work and loyalty above all.
Ploti, beyond a brand, is a connection forged in absurd originality and nestled in coffee-flavored warmth.