Celebratory designs from Raniwala 1881, the best of the best from Kunal Rawal and designs by Jade by Monica & Karishma will be showcased at Kolkata Centre for Creativity, presented by Styleograph. t2 caught up with the designers and jewellers ahead of the showing.
What: Styleograph presents Kunal Rawal, Jade by Monica & Karishma & Raniwala 1881
Where: Kolkata Centre for Creativity, 777 Anandapur,
EM Bypass
On till: October 9
Time: 11am-7pm
Abhishek Raniwala, creative director and co-founder, and Abhiyant Raniwala, co-founder
(L-R) Collection; Abhiyant Raniwala, co-founder (left) and Abhishek Raniwala, creative director and co-founder
What are you getting to Calcutta?
A Calcutta show is very special to us and our brand... the reason why we’re launching our autumn/winter 2021-22 collection here and we’re extremely excited for that. Our collection is named Gharana that depicts our journey from our home town of Beawar to our residence in Jaipur. The collection is traditional with hints of contemporary designs and defines ancestral values and rooted ideologies. Since festive season is just around the corner, we’re also showcasing our celebratory designs that are the epitome of Indian culture and the energy that these festivals bring. You can expect classy renditions of regal designs with exuberant colour palettes and exquisite workmanship that we believe the cultural capital of India, Calcutta, would absolutely love.
What are great buys for festive times?
Festive season is all about vibrant energy, extravagant designs and exquisite detailing. Grandness is synonymous with festival season in India and that is coherent in the buying trends during this time. Palatial designs on mathapattis, splendid far-sized chokers that define grandeur and dangling chandelier earrings that breathe the magnificence of Indian arts and culture are the key buys during festival season. This year brides are getting back to the splurge on jewellery and investing in timeless, traditional jewellery is always a good idea. Calcutta is a hub for bridal jewellery and stand-alone chokers with striking beauty would definitely be a great buy.
What are your bridal bestsellers?
Each bride has her own personality. Some like to go with larger-than-life designs while others like it subtle yet classy. But with each personality there is one thing that remains constant, the majestic beauty and grandeur that polki breathes into the jewellery pieces. Gorgeous mathapattis, big naths with intricate detailing and statement rings along with grand chokers are popular buys among brides who are trendy and want to embrace their roots but look modern at the same time. We’ve also designed kaleeras this time that turned out to be a bride’s favourite since it is very much in fashion. Fusion styling where you can find hints of yourself too is something that people are looking for.
Kunal Rawal
(L-R) Kunal Rawal; his collection
What are you getting to Calcutta?
We’re coming to Calcutta with the best of the best! I got into menswear because I realised very early on that occasion wear for men lacked options. I wanted to create traditional silhouettes with modern uptakes, so every modern-day groom could resonate with an outfit of their choice. We will be bringing a wide range of silhouettes that resonate with all kinds of people in today’s day and age. We will have a lot of deconstructed sherwanis, a lot of pieces from our new collection Vision Quest, and a lot of brand staples like our pieces that play with 3D textures.
How can your man play around with the staple festive favourites?
The best way to play around with staple silhouettes is by personalising and tailoring them to your needs. I think having the right fit is one of the most important aspects of choosing your piece. As a brand, we play around with cuts and embroidery to better suit different body types. We also recommend adding small elements of personalisation to your outfit to make it your own, for example using the embroidery of your outfit and adding a not-so-visible wedding date on it!
Menswear is now being consumed for events that range from deep-rooted traditional to modern-day luxury and the need of the hour is garments that can be multipurpose. In the age of Instagram, you can rarely repeat an outfit more than once, which is why we make garments that can later be mixed and matched to create new looks.
What colours do you want to see on the men this season?
I think pastels are huge in the upcoming season. People are moving towards lighter colours and more comfortable fabrics. We’ve played around with a white-ish lemon, peach, and a fresh mint. I think all these colours are super fresh and are perfect for day functions.
And, accessories?
I personally hate over-accessorising an occasion-wear look. Indianwear in general is so detailed and intricate and there are so many layers to the beauty of an outfit, accessorising very often takes away from the look of a garment.
Monica Shah of Jade by Monica & Karishma
(L-R) Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Jade by Monica & Karishma; Karishma Swali (left) and Monica Shah
What are you getting to Calcutta?
We’re very excited to bring handcrafted heirlooms from our latest collection ‘Bani Thani’. It’s a very special collection that celebrates the inner beauty and individuality of every woman.
What are your top tips for intimate festive dressing?
My top tip would be to buy ensembles that are versatile and timeless. This is a great time to choose finely crafted ensembles made by local and national artisans. I believe that wearing traditionally handcrafted ensembles for our festivals makes it a perfect celebration of our culture and roots.
What are your festive dressing favourites?
I love to create looks that are eclectic and versatile — something that’s a unique balance of traditional and modern, especially pieces that can be styled in more than one way!
What do you see the winter bride picking up?
Across the seasons, I see brides picking up ensembles that are finely handcrafted. They’re paying closer attention to the brands they are interested in and choose what resonates with their values.