Curating couture

Nandini Varshinei was a banker, and fashion was a hobby that she dealt with during her free time. She accompanied her friends and family on shopping sprees and advised them on what to wear and what not to. It was on one such occasion when Nandini realised that the options for shoppers in Chennai were few and far between.

She began to think about a project that would give fashionistas in Chennai, a new destination. It was thus that The Armoire, a luxe pop-up shop that hits Chennai on a quarterly and bi-quarterly basis, was born.

“I used to work in a multinational bank, and I do not have a fashion degree. However, I believe that I have an eye for fashion. When what you had deemed to be a hobby becomes an actual job, it is exciting. I am thrilled to be personally curating the pop-up show,” said Nandini who hasn’t thought about anything apart from her show the past few months.

Nandini will bring in designers from across the country for her show and she has been working hard on sourcing outfits.

“I wouldn’t want to exhibit products that I haven’t approved, and because I am from Chennai, I understand the need of a fashion-conscious Chennaiite. Hence, I worked with all the designers and have personally taken a look at the outfits to be displayed,” she said and added, “One might think that sourcing ensembles for a trunk show is simple, but I must tell you there are a lot of details to be kept in mind. I had to enlist the help of a mix of designers whose products were unique and at the same time affordable.”

So, are people in Chennai open to the evolving fashion and trends?

“I think that currently, we are in the right place in terms of fashion because people have started to experiment with current trends, colour palettes and cuts. The taste is evolving and the designers are being creative with their products. In fact, it is because people expect more from fashion retail than is presently available, that trunk shows and pop ups are successful,” answered Nandini.

With her project, Nandini hopes to bring global fashion trends at affordable prices and hopes to create an impact about fashion sensibilities.