You can be in Heena Kochhar’s Tarruf at an intimate gathering or at work, such is the versatile glamour of the pieces soaked in Indian crafts that speaks the contemporary language. A chat with the designer.
Tarruf is so pure a collection. What does ‘tarruf’ mean?
Tarruf is the Urdu for the act of introducing. With this collection, we introduced our first ever menswear pieces and our reinterpretation of heritage Indian craft and design in a new form to the modern Indian connoisseur.
In this collection, the designer uses her signature aari embroidery Courtesy: Heena Kochhar
The clothes are effortlessly glamorous. Can you tell us about the craftsmanship?
Effortless glamour rooted in Indian craftsmanship is at the centre of what we do. Our designs are for the free-spirited, global gypsy. In this collection, one can see our signature aari embroidery. Aari is one of the many forms of embroidery originating in the Mughal era, which we put an effort to bring to you in newer ways. They fit in just right in the pandemic world... comfortable and easy-breezy... the direction in which the world is moving....
Can you tell us how to style Tarruf for different occasions?
I would style the pieces from Tarruf in multiple ways, the first being an intimate Mehndi function with close friends and family where this outfit would be a perfect pick as it is as effortless and as chic. I would also style it with a sling bag and wear it for a soiree with friends. I believe in rewear and I feel the kaftans from this collection are not only great for intimate celebrations but perfect for an escapade to the beach.
Karigars are custodians of art and handcraft in our country and we are really losing out on them by mass producing Courtesy: Heena Kochhar
You have explored a gamut of crafts in the last two decades. What pains you most about the condition of our craftsmen? What’s a ray of hope?
Mass production and fast fashion’s rise has really been the highest contributor in us losing the real craft and artisan-made product. It pains me to see that with the commercialisation of traditional techniques of embroidery and it being mass produced, many karigars are losing their source of income. Our karigars are our custodians of art and handcraft in our country, and we are really losing out on them by mass producing.
What: Elahe A/W Festive 2021, new launches by Ridhi Mehra, Payal Khandwala, Heena Kochhar
Where: Elahe, 23 Ritchie Road
When: August 25 onwards, 11am-8pm