Before Khyati Nathwani Choraria jets off to her Mediterranean getaway, the creative director at Suman Nathwani, a brand specialising in luxury sleepwear, is already soaking in a certain Grecian flavour with a swimwear line that she has designed with her mother Suman Nathwani. The low-key Suman has a design experience of more than three decades and is one of the pioneers in the field, with a legacy of her own.
The mother-daughter duo have come up with a collection which is fresh and syncs just right with the mood of leisure and relaxation. Solids accessorised chunky, splashes of florals, smart pastels and pop shades in various styles with cover-ups handy, make up the range, all aimed at Indian bodies. “We have kept in mind what Indian women want. The styles are retro-modern. Mom has put her comfort zone in the collection and I have put mine, me being plus-size and someone from this generation, looking out for my comfort zone in swimwear. Women with curvy body types are hesitant to wear two pieces and monokinis, but I realised that someone like me, who is experimental with my clothes, likes to wear them. So, we have played around with swimwear cuts and cover-ups... that’s how we have merged the old and new,” says Khyati.
Suman feels women across age groups are open to trying the unconventional. “People don’t mind experimenting with pop colours. And, they really want to stand out. Those in their 40s and 50s, too, don’t mind wearing V-cuts. Earlier it was mostly frock-style. Now they are looking for pieces to party in, either for a sundowner or a boat party. The purpose is not swimming alone,” she says.
In keeping with the comfort factor, Suman emphasises the high-waisted pieces. “In the front, there are gathers. The tops are not typical bikini styles. It’s more the bralette type,” she says.
The mood remains “young” with a Grecian holiday at heart. “When you look at Greece, it’s blue and white. Young and pop hues look nice against blue and white. For someone like me, who likes a lot of tone-on-tone, simple, classic designs, when I think of sailing on the Mediterranean Sea, I always imagine myself wearing something white. That’s the place where the white-and-blue prints came into play. If I am basking on the seashores of Greece, I would be in many pop colours,” signs off Khyati.
We say, happy holiday!
Juhi Ghosh looks gorgeous in a seagreen monokini, accessorised with rings. “This is for women who’d like to make a bold statement,” says Khyati.
(L-R) Priyanka Das, Tanisha De, Megha Roy and Juhi are a picture of tranquil charm in these blue-and-white pieces with cover-ups.
Juhi’s frame is one of boho romance, a great look to sunbathe in. The two-piece swimwear with a mid-waist bikini bottom is made more leisurely dressy with a knot on the top and those chunky glasses. “This is a versatile piece, one that gives you the cover-up swimwear look,” says Suman, director, Suman Nathwani.
Megha channels beach vibes in her cover-up look. The vibrant florals, the hammock, the bare feet and the sun are what seaside holidays are made of.
We are loving these candy-pop shades on Tanisha and Priyanka. Lively and fun. “We have experimented with bullion stitch embroidery and ruching in these looks,” says Suman.
The soothing and tidy pastels come with embroidery, unique to the brand. “This really connects the ethos of Suman Nathwani with the swimwear line,” says Khyati. Suman says it is labour and time intensive. “Doing embroidery on stretchable fabric is very tough. It took us many months to get the technicality right. This is our USP. No one really does embroidery on swimsuits. That makes this a luxury range,” she adds.
Suman Nathwani (seated) and Khyati Nathwani Choraria
Suman and Khyati pick top trends in swimwear for the season:
High-waisted bikinis
Cover-ups in the form of skirts
Kaftan cover-ups, which are “evergreen”
Monokinis
Accessorised swimwear
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Models: Juhi Ghosh, Tanisha De, Priyanka Das, Megha Roy
Make-up: Bhaskar Biswas
Hair: Kishore Biswas
Styling: Rijuta Kumbhat Nathvani Venue
Courtesy: Seal Villa