Stunning pop hues draped and styled, in ‘the bold and the beautiful’ way. That’s Ekaya Banaras’s summer capsule 2023, Iro. The word means ‘hue’ in Japanese and the collection consists of organzas and habutai silks. What’s striking about the looks is that there is a distinct minimalism despite the statement styling. Palak Shah, CEO, Ekaya Banaras, tells us more.
We are absolutely loving the pop hues and the styling! Tell us how you imagined the styling.
Thank you! Iro was our foray into being playful with the sari. I love to incorporate unconventional, transformative drapes like the hood sari or the mermaid drape. A sari can so effortlessly be elevated by pairing it with risqué blouses with contemporary designs, in monotones for bold impact. Opt for pop hues and floaty fabrics perfect for the season and complete the look with statement accessories to uplift your sari style.
You love wearing your saris differently. How many styles have you personally explored from what we see in the collection?
The collection marked the beginning of a journey of sari exploration for me, too. While I like to play with my drapes and use accessories to create interesting silhouettes with my sari, some of the more experimental styles are bookmarked for a special occasion that calls for elevated styling.
What remains your favourite style though?
It’s so hard to pick one when every style is so distinct. I particularly love the hooded sari style — a simple but avant-garde twist transforms a minimal sari into a hooded gown — a sleek yet dramatic style borrowed straight from the runway. A statement neckpiece layered under the sari makes for a fun, peekaboo moment.
Who did you have in mind while conceiving the line?
Iro is a capsule collection that celebrates the versatility of the sari, with a rendition that is young, playful, experimental, and truly fits Ekaya’s muse — bold, contemporary, individualistic, and always reinventing with her style. This sari was truly designed keeping my personal style in mind — I love fashion that does double duty and gravitates towards light, easy saris that can be worn in different ways.
Palak, you recently got married. Many congratulations on that! Can you give us a peek into your favourite wedding saris?
Thank you! My wedding wardrobe was a labour of love and the union of the creative sensibilities of many minds. I played around with several silhouettes crafted by some of India’s finest couturiers, all created using our exquisite thaans, with each designer interpreting our textiles with their signature styles. However, the one closest to my heart was a traditional red Kadhwa weave drape in real zari, that I wore for a puja in my heritage home in Benaras.
What would your advice be for all the new brides who want to put their wedding saris to versatile use?
New brides can make their wedding saris versatile by repurposing them for different occasions. Mix and match with contrasting colours, experiment with drapes, and accessorise differently to create unique looks. Different combinations of colours and blouses add interest and make every look new.
Is there a dream sari for you that one day you would like to weave at Ekaya?
We are constantly reinventing Ekaya, and trying to take forward our legacy of over a century. The sari is a sartorial icon with many identities. My ideal sari is one that can take on many forms, be draped in versatile ways that flow seamlessly from day to night, and transcend seasons. I love a sari that can go from being an everyday essential to a redcarpet stunner.
On a personal note, what’s your favourite summer hue that has made it to the range?
I believe every day calls for a different colour, a different drape. It’s like they say, new hue, new you!