Calcutta-based womenswear label Sozenkari is a passion project of designer Sweta Agarwal after her 25-year journey in the fashion industry. Hailing from Bombay and having worked with the likes of Hemant Trivedi, Shantanu Goenka and Dev R Nil, Sweta started her journey at a sedate pace with her own brand in 2014 by showcasing her collections in exhibitions like Bridal Asia and The India Story. Her work gaining momentum in 2019, she started the journey afresh with her newly launched store on Wood Street that’s set to open doors this month.
The USP of the brand lies in staying rooted to Indian culture in terms of its design aesthetics while offering a range of designs for the contemporary women, with a focus on hand embroidery. “After studying fashion, working with Hemant Trivedi was an enriching experience for me. Coming to Calcutta, I wanted to create a brand with a motto to create our own embroidery motifs and preserve the age-old craft of hand embroidery. We have a story behind the motifs we create and have worked with motifs like chandeliers, vineyards and the Northern Lights. From Indian and Western to Indo-western and casuals, we have a range to suit everyone’s needs.We want Calcutta to know that we have a lot to offer and don’t want people to go out of the city to shop. We create heritage pieces that can be passed down the generations. Our brand logo is a chandelier that symbolises celebration and the brand is all about celebrating life,” said Sweta, founder and head designer.
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Spread across 500sq ft, the ground floor store has a simple display and is supported by a workshop on the first floor that allows buyers to make customised purchases at the store.
What: Sozenkari
Where: 9A, Wood Street (beside The Saturday Club)
Timings: 11am to 7pm
Pocket pinch: Rs 8,000 onwards
Perfect for the bridal trousseau, Diti wore an organza and chanderi ghagra, blouse and dupatta set, hand embroidered with crystals and Japanese beads, creating the label’s signature chandelier motifs.
Riya donned a one-shoulder short cocktail dress from the Northern Lights collection, hand embroidered in zardosi using Japanese beads and cutdana.
A blend of traditional and contemporary styles, Diti and Riya posed in the short kurta and salwar set made of chanderi, chiffon and organza, designed with hand-embroidered Japanese beads and zardosi threadwork.
In festive shades of red and purple, Diti and Riya sported the asymmetrical-style chanderi and muslin silk anarkali, hand embroidered with gota, pearls and Japanese beads. It is paired with sharara and organza dupatta.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Models: Diti Saha and Riya Bhattacherjee
Styling: Anupam Chatterjee
Make-up: Abhijit Paul
Hair: Sananda Mondal Laha