Fussy lehengas have had their days but the new crop of fashion buyers are all for meticulous and progressive design elements. Naturally, homegrown designers are manoeuvring their way around modernity when it comes to festive line-ups. While some tastemakers are using local handlooms to create distinct, new-wave silhouettes some designers are prioritising on making pret pieces more fluid and buyer-friendly.
My Kolkata has curated a list of city-based designers who are acing the festive memo with their intelligent, Instagrammable line-up:
Vaani Beswal
Beswal’s festive line Tilak relies on chic neutrals and classic fabrics. The designer shares that though elaborate, traditional numbers are still hot-sellers, buyers are consistently steering towards the minimal route. The designer balances both aesthetics with her flowy silhouettes that are good for everyday wear and yet exude grandeur.
“During Diwali, we see a lot of demand for garments with heavy work and we cater to that; some of our numbers are made with a combination of Zari woven with silks and cotton. But some of our clientele still prefer minimal designs, usually in brighter shades,” says 24-year-old Beswal who launched her label last year in August.
The Kolkata-based label prioritises eco-friendly and sustainable production and has a focus on fabrics like handwoven khadi cotton, linen and silk. The designer also goes for a modernist finish with pieces like cotton jamdani bomber jackets or zari silk trench.
Visit their website or message them on Instagram to buy their creations.
Rishi and Soujit
Designer duo Rishi Jain, 33, and Soujit Bag, 32, started their brand with a vision to ‘revive, restore and restyle’. Their brand has been featured in the Lake Fashion Week twice since they started out in 2012 and their designs are luxurious yet subtle. Their work highlights the artwork of Bengal artisans, as the designers focus on hand embroidery techniques, cuts and drapes, muted pastel tones, and pattern play with drape and structure.
“We have curated a festive line with glitter, thread and zardosi work. We have fluid silhouettes like pattern sarees, jumpsuits, greek god capes, long jackets along with sarees with thread work and blouses with different patterns,” Rishi and Soujit reveal.
Visit their store on 19, Canal S Rd, Paridhan, Garment Park, SDF-2, Block B, Tangra or visit their website to buy their creations.
Megha Garg Clothing
Megha Garg Poddar, 34 founded her label in 2012 as part of the Gen Next Designer Programme at Lakme Fashion Week. The designer focuses on functional clothing with experimental detailing and is known for her daring use of colours and her signature drapes, cuts and quilted sequins techniques. Some of Garg’s most interesting numbers are her metallic knotted gowns and the quilted sequins yoke in asymmetrical panelled dresses.
“This festive season I can see a lot of fusion wear—Indian outfits with contemporary western tops or pants. Metallics are doing especially well this season and you can find it in our festive line-up as well,” shares Garg.
Visit their store on 99/5/8A, Ballygunge Place, Ballygunge, or visit their website to buy their creations.
Maulshree Ruia
Ruia is making pret fashion more versatile with her transitional pieces like the classic ridge cut jackets or multi-tweed outerwear. Her brand is best known for its one-of-a-kind silhouettes that can be layered and styled in different ways.
“We create clothes that make you feel confident and beautiful, and clothes that you can live in. This Diwali our clientele has been looking for minimalistic clothing with smart cuts, threadwork and a touch of Zari, and we work really well in this area,” says the designer.
Contact them through their Instagram page or on WhatsApp at +91 9830769111 or +91 7980377239.
Kritika Murarka
Murarka is making contemporary clothing using traditional textiles like Bengal handloom silks. Her label’s website also offers a zero-waste segment (Ananya Panday recently wore Murarka’s hand-screen printed patch shirt for a fashion shoot).
“Hand-embellished co-ord sets, blazer pant sets in jacquards and organza tissue dresses are currently shining through the current festive season. During Diwali our clients mostly look for statement outfits ready for pre-Diwali poker parties like our Hand Embroidered Gold Organza Tissue Midi Dress,” shares the 29-year-old Murarka.
Visit their store on 57A Southern Avenue or visit their website to buy their creations.