As close as two sisters can get, Gauri & Nainika cater to a very distinct persona – one who likes to dress with a sense of occasion and is always at the forefront of fashion. Their collection is a statement for crisp and clean cut silhouettes. The inspiration in their designs lies in anything beautiful, from European fashion history, art, music, books, personalities, theatre, Hollywood and red carpet glamour to pictures of their mother from the 70s.
Interestingly, they owe their fascination with fine-flowing lines to their parents – Raja Vijay Karan, a retired CBI director and Pratibha Karan, a former IAS officer both of whom loved Broadway shows and old Hollywood movies. The Karan sisters grew up on a diet of films and thus begun their fascination with classic Hollywood glamour. They loved seeing all those glamorous heroines on screen, particularly Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. Thus their forte has always been extremely feminine and romantic design philosophy with styles that are luxurious yet understated. With a strong emphasis on fabric, cut & colour, the designs are all about shape and flattering silhouettes. Femininity forms the essence of the label with styles that signify youth, glamour and sophistication. At a time when most designers were focusing on clothes with an Indo-western feel and everything was embroidered, the Karan sisters set out to make purely western wear. Their cocktail couture has been celebrated among the young and trendy fashionistas.
The Karans grew up in New Delhi. Though originally students of economics, they changed course to graduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi. In 2002, they launched their ready-to-wear label ‘Gauri & Nainika’. With the label offering western wear ranging from semi-formal styles to high-end demi-couture ones, their collections are being retailed all over the country at various outlets and exclusive boutiques.
Gauri and Nainika designs have also been on Bollywood’s most stylish. Actors Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif are their loyals and have flaunted their dresses and gowns for public appearances which have got a thumbs-up from the fashion police.
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This 36-year old Chennai based designer, came into the fashion industry 18 years ago with no godfather. His first-hand exposure to the world of aesthetic came from his mother who is an artist. Rao pursued an evening course at Loyola, while spending his mornings training at the Color Plus factory in Ambattur. He has always let his clothes do the talking, even while designing clothes for Studio Saks, the first ever designer boutique in Chennai.
A designer who interprets Indian textile traditions in a bold and modern signature style is none other than Anupama Dayal, who indubitably is a name to look out for in the fashion industry. Her design philosophy is to achieve an international look with an Indian soul. Intense saturated colours where animals and birds motif mingle with florals and abstracts. She often has got reviews that have talked really high of her work. Her creations have been described as unique for their harmonious blend of nature, tradition and modernism. `Anupama Dayal launched her label ‘Anupamaa’ in 2004. Her work presents hand blocked prints in an almost jewel like ‘avatar’. A single motif in her renderings could have as many as eight colours . . . shaded, burnt out, antiquated to create a dazzling fabric rainbow. Her forte includes styles of slim jackets, flowing and pleated skirts, fitted shirts, dresses, corsets and more.
‘Pero’ by Aneeth Arora is a label narrating the story of crafty weaves, texturing and vivid patterns to the delight of its admirers. The label ‘Pero’ which means ‘to wear’ in Marwari was launched by Aneeth Arora, a textile graduate from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and a fashion graduate from National Institute of Fashion Technology.
An inevitable part of the big fat Indian wedding is the bridal trousseau and when Kimaya the true Indian luxury fashion brand vows to dress up the bride, glamour is assured. This season it brings together an exclusive collection by Ashish & Viral Parekh, Charu Parashar, Gaurav Gupta, Kamaali, Malaga, Namrata Daryani, Rabani & Rakha, Ritika Bhasin and Sonu Gohil called the, ‘Le Trousseau Couture’. The line projects a larger than life grandeur with an accent on bridal affluence and gracefulness.
Ashish and Viral Parikh have laid on the platter a subdued colour story of under toned anarkalis to give a subtle western touch to our Indian bride. A translucent solid colour look has been teamed up with trousers or churidars in fabrics like tulle, brocade, lurex based silks, and raw silks with minimal embroideries.
Gaurav Gupta claims the season with delicate balance of controlled drapes & fluidness. The collection speaks grandeur through three dimensional embroideries, peacocks and lotuses in colours of deep purples, brass gold and mango yellow.
