Realistic, political, controversial and discerningly philosophical are four character traits in modern design that Miloni Vora most identifies with. Brought up in a household of textile merchants; appreciation for artisans and tradition has been a deep-rooted love affair for designer.
A recent graduate of Parsons School of Design, Vora focuses on materiality and innovative fabrics. She incorporates traditional artisanal techniques Aari, Bandhini and Kantha, to enhance the quality, durability and feel of her textiles. Time consuming, intricate yet easy, Vora’s textiles correspond to her silhouette.
Her panache to keeping traditional Indian roots breathing is well depicted in her designs as she launches first collection. Vora, in her latest collection has drawn inspiration from the traditional textile techniques that are found in her parent’s native village in Gujarat alongside time spent in urban cities like London, Paris and New York. Vora’s designs marry tradition with modernity and has beautifully blended them with contemporary silhouettes.
Envisioning the modern women as both whimsical and practical, the surface treatment is understated yet thoughtful. Subtle use of pastels, sheers and grays dominate much of the color palette. The textiles themselves are a melting pot of indigenous techniques.
The central tenants of her design philosophy lie in understanding the timeliness of craft and considering the collective implications of the market on the way our arts and crafts sustain. Sensitive to the past and reflective of the future her collection incorporates a subtle balance between organic motifs and structured silhouettes.
Vora endeavors to modernize traditional classic womenswear by combining innovative techniques like laser cutting and etching with traditional artisanal techniques. The usage of recycled wool, organic cottons and raw silks further enhances the image of the urbane conscious consumer. Through her designs, she brings consumers chic, urbane, and accessible designs adorned with quirky motifs, seamless lines, and effortless contours.
Despite their precarious nature, crafts still survive as they represent their maker’s identity and culture. It is this very authenticity that Miloni thrives to preserve. Crafts are the vehicles of our cultural identity, passed on from generation to generation and the means of livelihood for numerous artisan communities, says the designer.
Vora continues to build on her understanding of the intricately connected world we inhabit. Using modern technology, mainstream market experience, and a vision for a more appreciative and conscious world, ‘Miloni Vora’ is the emerging collaborative energy. If you have never witnessed a melting pot of indigenous designs, you need to see Vora’s textile designs, it is said.
