Cool, comfortable, fuss-free and relaxed. That’s Charkhee, a ‘home-grown’ label. Their summer 2022 collection has a happy name in ‘Sundae’, which has a carefree mood about it. The Telegraph caught up with Sarang Singla, co-founder and MD, Charkhee, to know about the collection and the brand ethos.

Sundae looks so refreshing, just right for summer. Tell us about it all.

As the name suggests, our Sundae collection was conceptualised keeping in mind the mood of a relaxed, chill Sunday wear. The concept and the colours of the collection ironically led to a pun/wordplay on Sunday — Sundae. It’s a go-to wear when one has to hop off for a quick brunch or catch up with friends for an evening soiree. Made with cotton, this collection adds comfort while bringing a contemporary style to your look.

What are great summer investments?

For women, we have the contemporary tunic and pants set in cotton-blend fabric; one can also choose the free-flowing salwar with the tunic. For men, a must-have for the season are the joggers or the shorts, combined with a short kurti. And for the people who simply can’t resist the temptation of linens, we have a range of dresses (for women) and shirts (for men and women) made with 100 per cent pure linen. These combined with contemporary sunglasses, a nice hat and a comfortable pair of slippers, are perfect for the season.

The name Charkhee is inspired by the love for all things handwoven, right? How old is the brand?

Yes, the name is indeed inspired by the love for all things handwoven, and means phirki (pinwheel), which is so delicately complex yet understated, among the things that would stand out for an observer; for its colours, mesmerising patterns that are so delicate and precise. 2016 is when the first thought was seeded, when we observed a need gap in the Indian market and wanted to offer Indo-western wear in classical Indian fabrics such as block-prints for kids. Over the years, we have evolved and expanded our portfolio to cater to men, women as well as kids — across categories (occasion wear as well as casual wear) in the Indi-luxe segment at an accessible price point. The inspiration behind Charkhee, however, is constant across our collection as the brand aims to seek inspiration in the classics while honouring minimalistic opulence.

What kind of crafts have you explored?

Our design philosophy is based on minimalism, and we strongly believe in the ‘less is more’ aesthetic. We predominantly work with solid colours, infusing a hint of traditional Indian craftsmanship in every collection. Each collection is an interplay of modern and traditional materials that lend a contemporary style. One of the examples is our use of foil mirrors in outfits as opposed to the actual mirror-work, which keeps the garment light and flowy. In another collection we have minimally incorporated Swarovski, embedded in just the right silhouettes of the garment to dazzle when needed. All fabrics we work with are natural fabrics that are handcrafted in-house.

What are your plans for the label?

We are in a competitive line of business, catering to consumers in a fast-changing lifestyle space. We want Charkhee to be the brand of choice in the Indi-luxe-wear segment, catering to the minimalist yet elegance-seeking consumer for any occasion, or celebration in their life. Charkhee is currently operating through its own online site and working with both online and offline retail partners. Over the next few years, we are looking to expand our presence more effectively in other countries and open our own independent stores.