Known for her fab fashion choices and for being as much of an off-screen diva as she is on screen, actress Trina Saha has taken her personal style goals a step forward by launching her own line of clothing. The Telegraph chat with the actress-turned-couturier and her husband and co-designer Neel Bhattacharya.
Congratulations on the launch of your very own fashion label… how did it all happen?
Trina: I had always wanted to have my own clothing brand. In fact, Neel and I have been planning it for quite some time but had been putting it off due to our work commitments. Finally, I decided to take some time off and put our plan into action. With designs in my head already, I checked out fabrics and materials, bought them and we were ready to start off on this dream project. We named our brand Kloth by Trineel, Neel designed its logo and we launched it formally on August 11, with a small puja at our store-cum-studio at Jashoda Bhavan in Gariahat. All I can say now is that we are excited to start this new journey together.
Any design influences or inspiration behind your brand?
Neel: As both of us are actors, we are always surrounded by people who dress well and have their own style statements. And we all know that if you are beautifully dressed, you feel happier and more confident. So we want our brand to promote this feel-good factor that comes with dressing well. That’s why we have taken our inspiration from the world of films and film stars who are always turned out in fashionable designer clothing. You can say our biggest inspiration is Bollywood, where we are mesmerised by how a hero or heroine in a Karan Johar or Sanjay Leela Bhansali film looks when dressed by the best designers in the country. There are also many designers in Tollywood who we look up to for inspiration. And we want our creations to make our patrons look and feel beautiful in the same way.
What according to you is style?
Trina: In very simple terms, your style is anything that you can carry off confidently and at the same time feel comfortable in. Comfort is a very important factor. If you think you are most comfortable in a white tee and a pair of jeans then that can be your personal style. Or if you feel you can carry yourself best in a chiffon sari, that’s your style statement. Here I would like to add one more thing. That only wearing expensive, branded clothing or designer stuff does not make you cool or stylish. And at the same time, designer garments can be stylish and not be expensive or out of the reach of the middle class. In fact, Kloth by Trineel has curated a collection that is very fashionable and also extremely affordable.
(L-R) Trina looks fetching in this organza sari with full handworked embellishments designed in an Aaranya (forest) theme, with the foliage patterns creating a dramatic effect.
Neel sports a kurta with floral prints highlighted with sequins, an absolute apt attire for the festive days.
Trina showcases an embroidered Bollywood-themed net sari with sequins and a scalloped border.
What according to you is the USP of your label?
Neel: Our brand is targeted towards the mass; we wish to design clothing for those who dream of wearing good-quality, fashionable clothes but cannot afford to purchase them. We want to fulfil their desire of looking smart, stylish and well-dressed without burning a hole in their pockets. As such, our designs are very urban, contemporary and fashionable. We also want to reach out to both men and women of all age groups, so we have designed collections that will appeal to and be suitable for people of all ages. We have also designed collections for every occasion.
Trina: Our collection includes an entire range made with environment-friendly fabrics. We also have classic silhouettes in materials like silk and chiffon, dresses in the current fashion trend like polka dots and quirky prints. In menswear, we have cute jackets with cartoon prints for preteen boys to sophisticated kurtas for elderly gentlemen. We also have a collection of silver jewellery in a very affordable range. What is special about Kloth by Trineel is that buyers have the freedom and flexibility to customise any outfit according to their choice, so that they feel confident and comfortable wearing them.
With people in the city already ready with their Puja shopping lists, what can they look forward to from Kloth by Trineel?
Trina: The wide range of our collection is actually a blessing for Puja shoppers. They can just step in, buy their dresses, accessories, jewellery and even purchase their gifts for loved ones from our store.
We are concentrating on certain gorgeous materials or fabrics that are rarely seen in Calcutta. Quirky prints figure majorly in our collection as well. The designs are such that we have something suitable for all days and occasions during the Pujas. Whether you want a traditional outfit or a party dress, you will find them all here. Our Puja collection includes a lot of stylish Indo-Western wear. We also have a range of sequinned dresses which are quite the rage nowadays.
Our range of costume and junk jewellery is stunning, which you can mix and match with multiple dresses. For men, we are launching a brooch collection, which we hope will help them up their style game. Another special service which we are offering our customers is that we will try to curate any design that they show us a picture or drawing of, according to their budget.
Clothing and accessories: Kloth by Trineel
Make up: Babusona Saha
Hair: Gini
Location: The Kolkata Studio
