The colour divas of Hyderabad
Priyadarshini and Sunita are working on a new autumn/winter collection
By : sanchita dash
Update: 2014-08-06 23:31 GMT
Hyderabad: A fresh burst of colours, the debut of two nationally known designers in Hyderabad and a new autumn/winter collection are what awaits one upon entering the Elahe store in Banjara Hills.
While one side is reminiscent of the Chanderi work from Kutch by Sunita Shanker, the other side is adorned with block prints in a variety of colours from Priyadarshini Rao’s label. The binding thread between the two collections is a love for textile.
Of prints and textiles
It’s been around 12 years since Priyadarshini Rao was last in Hyderabad. This time around, she wanted to bring a special collection to the city. Emerging from Indian textiles, her collection for Hyderabad is all about prints and embroideries that are dipped in a bright range of colours.
Talking about the Hyderabad market, the Mumbai-based designer says, “We have been working with the South Indian market for long but I must say that what I feel different about Hyderabad now, is the presence of a cosmopolitan market. Unlike other cities, I feel Hyderabad has a mixed market and they believe in a lot more ‘toned down’ clothing than the bling of Mumbai or Delhi.”
And the one thing that is noticed in her collection is the trend of flare pants. “What people are opting for now are a lot of drape fabrics with a lot chiffon and georgette. Really wide pants that can be teamed up with short or long tunics are being appreciated by many,” she says.
We ask the designer about what she has been up to all these years and she says, “I’m not just a designer now. I have a nine-year-old daughter and I’m trying to find a balance between both. We recently launched a high street brand for retail stores that you can find in Hyderabad as well. And of late, we have also been working with a few online stores.” And does she think online is the next place to be?
“As much as I hate to say so, I think it is. Luxury shopping online is not yet an option in India but yes it soon might be,” she says. The designer, who has been associated with movies like Hum Tum in the past and Jai Ho in recent times, doesn’t really see herself being more involved in the Bollywood arena. “Right now, I’m busy preparing for the Fashion Week,” she says.
Creating timeless pieces
Sunita Shanker graduated from NIFT in 1990 and has many accomplishments to her name from exhibiting her works in few of the world’s most known museums to having worked in close association with the ministry of textiles.
And it has been 12 years since Sunita adopted a village in Kutch from where she churns out her collections based on Bandhini prints and Chanderi work.
Ask her about her style statement and much like the Chanderi trouser and pink shirt with a black stole, that she sports, she says, “I have always believed in a minimalistic approach, to provide for comfort as well as contemporary wear for all. I am completely in sync with the crafts sector now. I believe in the true art of fashion.”
And her collection is all about that, from capes and shrugs to comfortable tunics that can be teamed up with a trouser or a churidar. “My clothing line is not in association with a season. It’s more about creating timeless pieces,” she says.
As she moves around the store explaining the collection, which dabbles in white, red, black and blue, she says, “It is important to keep the essence of everything and then try to make a sense out of it.”
This is her first exhibit in Hyderabad apart from the retail stores in town. “I’m actually looking forward to working here. People are always looking forward to updating their wardrobes and with them, I think even I have become far more experimental and brave,” says Sunita.