VESTURE VOL 1 / ISSUE 2 / APRIL!JUNE 2021 april-june 2021 vol. 1issue2 ` 100

by Ninecolours Weddings: Curves with Vahbiz Dorabjee A lookatbridaltrends Embracing Our Style Guide for Recycling The EtherealBride movement onfashion of thebodypositivity highlights theimpact Confdence Monsoon talks abouttheneed to embraceself-love A lookatthe rise of and bodypositivity Actress clothing recycling for themonsoon for The Thyself Future and society Love Actress Raima Sen

VESTURE VOL 1 / ISSUE 2 / APRIL!JUNE 2021 Thyself Love talks abouttheneed Future for The Recycling You Celebrate and society movement onfashion of thebodypositivity highlights theimpact Vahbiz Dorabjee Actress Confdence Curves with Embracing clothing recycling A lookatthe riseof one’s bodytype need tostayfitasper movement andthe the bodypositivity Actress The Ethereal Bride Our StyleGuidefor Bonnerjee to embraceself-love and bodypositivity Raima Sen

Actress Debina delves into

by Ninecolours clothing recycling A lookatthe riseof Future for The Recycling Weddings: Monsoon monsoon trends for the A lookatbridal The Ethereal Bride Our StyleGuidefor april-june 2021 vol. 1issue2 ` 100 VESTURE VOL 1 / ISSUE 2 / APRIL!JUNE 2021 Y#u Ce!e"rate Actress body positivity embrace self-love and talks abouttheneedto and society movement on fashion of thebodypositivity highlights theimpact Vahbiz Dorabjee Confdence Curves with Embracing Actress Love Thyself Debina Bonnerjee and theneedtostayfit as perone’sbodytype positivity movement delves intothebody

Raima Sen Actress

by Ninecolours Weddings: Monsoon clothing recycling A lookattheriseof Future for The Recycling monsoon trends forthe A lookatbridal The Ethereal Bride Our StyleGuidefor ` APRIL -JUNE2021 vol. 1issue2 100 Editor’s Letter

The Age of Inclusivity

Dear Readers,

hroughout the ages, size has been a contentious issue that people have either approached negatively or avoided altogether for fear of backlash. With a society obsessed with physical perfection, beauty, health and !tness have always been sought a"er, and people, particularly women, who do not conform to these conventional standards have Tbeen looked down upon and ridiculed. #e body positivity movement, which promotes inclusivity and a positive body image, was welcomed by the world with arms wide open out of sheer frustration and exhaustion with the negativity and body shaming prevalent in the society. #e movement highlights a shi" in the collective mindset and a new approach towards beauty, health, !tness and even fashion. In this issue of Vesture by Ninecolours, we highlight the importance of body positivity and its role in fashion inclusivity. What’s more, this time, we have not one, but three cover stories featuring three strong and powerful women championing the cause of body positivity. Bollywood actress Raima Sen and TV actresses-cum-in$uencers Vahbiz Dorabjee and Debina Bonnerjee shed light on the body positivity movement and the various challenges and issues vis-à-vis body image that women face even today. #e talented actresses tell us how we can embrace our bodies as they are and cultivate self-love and con!dence. We also report on how plus-size clothing is making fashion inclusive for all, and feature Summer Somewhere, a women’s clothing brand that is not only extremely wearable and trendy, but also supports a conscious lifestyle. We pro!le the little known Tangaliya textile cra" from Gujarat with a growing international appeal, and cover the hot topic of fashion recycling and how brands are adopting it for sustainability. With monsoon already upon us, fashion takes a turn, but not for the worse, as we pro!le the coolest bags in town that you can carry around this season and also bring to you a handy style guide for monsoon weddings. During monsoon, our hair usually takes a beating, so we give you the best haircare advice from leading hair experts and haircare brands for a frizz- free, gorgeous mane. Fall season, too, isn’t far away, so we cover the latest trends for the season, with cues from top fashion labels around the world.

Caroline Chorattil Rasal

vesture april-june 2021 1 Management Note ninecolours Ushering ninecolours In Positivity and Inclusivity

Dear Readers,

his issue of Vesture by Ninecolours was envisaged at a time when India was battling a deadly second wave, and we were faced with the saddest news and griefs on a daily basis. During this time, we as a company decided to talk about positivity and love to provide hope to our readers, i.e., you. #rough this issue, we would like to Tpromote body positivity and the idea of loving and celebrating every body type. We believe that mental wellness is as important as physical health during this pandemic. Body shaming and dissatisfaction lead to poor quality of life, physiological distress and eating disorders. So, let’s start celebrating all kinds of bodies, loving our bodies and living a healthy life. #rough this issue of Vesture by Ninecolours, we have three di%erent covers celebrating the body positivity movement. Learning to love our own bodies is the best gi" that we can give ourselves, and con!dence and comfort in our skin is the best ensemble that we can pull o%. Loving and accepting your body simply adds to your style statement. People have given di%erent titles to di%erent body sizes such as plus, zero, etc. and have attached certain notions and dogmas to every size. But we collectively need to !ght these beliefs and embrace our body type instead of conforming to a standard body size. We at Ninecolours believe that plus is not a size but a sign (+) of positivity. Similarly, zero is just a number and not a !gure to achieve. No size de!nes a person and we should not push someone to be de!ned by those shallow ideas of physical perfection. It’s always better to be beautifully imperfect and to Team Ninecolours love thyself. Priyesh Jain #is magazine issue is a small attempt by us to educate people who Director stick to the beliefs of a patriarchal society that what de!nes a woman is not her size but herself. We hope to provide a way forward for our Jigar Agarwal designers and vendors to o%er a wide range of fashion for every body CEO type. Fashion has limitless boundaries and should not be con!ned to a particular body shape or size. Drashti Kansara As we write this, we at Ninecolours have taken steps to bring in more Head Fashion Designer choices, styles and catalogues for every body shape and size and will continue to do so in the future. We want our customers to be spoilt for Purashri Machhar choice with a wide range of styles irrespective of their body type or size. Head Stylist We hope that with this issue, the awareness that we want to create around body positivity reaches all our readers, customers, vendors and Mayuri Gupte the world at large. We also hope that you will enjoy reading this issue of Head Graphic Designer Vesture by Ninecolours as much as we did. Harsha Desai Happy Reading! Head Customer Service Shop Address : #bodypositivity #beautifullyimperfect #mentalhealth #lovethyself Satyapal Negi Ninecolours Store, SV Road, NearShop MTNL Address Exchange, : Malad (W), Mumbai-400064. #sel$ove #imbeautiful #proudtobeplus #bodylove Marketing Head Ninecolours Store, SV Road, Near MTNL Exchange, Malad (W), Mumbai-400064. Shop Online 2 vesture April-june 2021 www.ninecolours.comShop Online www.ninecolours.com ninecolours

Shop Address : Ninecolours Store, SV Road, NearShop MTNL Address Exchange, : Malad (W), Mumbai-400064. Ninecolours Store, SV Road, Near MTNL Exchange, Malad (W), Mumbai-400064. Shop Online vesture April-june 2021 3 www.ninecolours.comShop Online www.ninecolours.com contents April-june 2021

Regulars 06 Scoop OWNER 07 Testimonials Ninecolours 08 New Arrivals (Nivaka Fashions Limited) 14 style directory EDITORIAL, DESIGN & PRINTING Optimum Utility Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Cover Story EDITORIAL 18 Embracing Curves with Con!dence Chief Editor In an exclusive interview, actress Caroline Chorattil Rasal Vahbiz Dorabjee talks about how the body positivity movement has DESIGN ushered in a new age for fashion and Art Director society. Yogesh Jadhav Image Editor Love "yself Paras Damani 26 In a tête-à-tête, actress Raima Sen talks about the need to love and accept your body and its needs For any marketing enquiries, in order to truly embrace body contact: positivity. Stanley Samuel Director – Business Development Celebrate You Mob.: +91 70450 00616 32 In a conversation, actress Debina E-mail: [email protected] Bonnerjee talks about how the body positivity movement calls for being Material in this publication may not be true to oneself and staying !t as per reproduced, whether in part or in whole, one’s body type instead of following without the consent of NINECOLOURS the !tness bandwagon. (NIVAKA FASHIONS LIMITED). 38 Fashion Forward Plus & Proud Plus-size clothing is making fashion inclusive for all without discriminating on the basis of size and is steadily !nding its own calling. 44 Design Corner Carefree Apparel Summer Somewhere is a women’s clothing brand that is an ode to the girl in pursuit of an endless summer.

4 vesture april-june 2021 48 Fibres & Weaves Wrap and Roll #e little known Tangaliya textile cra" has transitioned from being solely for traditional garments for local communities in Gujarat to one for garments and accessories with an international appeal.

54 Trend Talk – India Monsoon Weddings: Our Style Guide for "e Ethereal Bride Planning a wedding is stressful. Add pouring rains to it, and it straightaway adds to the woes of the 72 Hair & Beauty bride. Keep your worries aside and rely on our Beat "e Monsoon ‘Tress Stress’ style guide that covers everything from lehengas to #is monsoon, keep your mane healthy jewellery and footwear! and happy and put an end to your hair woes with these easy haircare tips. 60 Trend Talk – International Recycling for "e Future 76 Style Spotlight Clothing and fabric recycling has become one of the Bagging "e Monsoon Style most raging points of concern for the global textile Don’t bring out that stodgy old industry. We take a look at how brands are adapting backpack just yet, for we’ve waved our to this dri". magic wand and found you the chicest monsoon bags in town. So, get ready to 64 On the Ramp – International beat the weather and arrive in style. International Fall Trends to Watch Out For Amp up your wardrobe and get ready to introduce fall fashion in your dressing up plans, with cues from top labels around the world. 68 Health & Well-being "e Organic Life 24 Mantra Organic by Sresta has been a frontrunner in the space of all things organic, and the work — started over 17 years ago — is more relevant today than ever before.

vesture Japril-june 2021 5 SCOOP NEWS FLASH

Ninecolours Launches Trendy Face Masks Ninecolours has introduced stylish face masks that will help you in the !ght against COVID-19 while allowing you to make a Ninecolours Presents cool fashion statement. #e washable and V-Shopping reusable masks ensure that you stay safe and Ninecolours presents a new kind of online at the same time reduce your environmental shopping experience — V-Shopping or impact. With this wide range of trendy, video call shopping. #e video call shopping reusable face masks, you can sport a di%erent service allows for easy and convenient online mask every day and mix and match patterns shopping with live in-store experience. With and colours with your fashion ensemble. #e the help of Ninecolours’ personal shopper fun masks will also motivate your kids to service, customers all over the world can enjoy pick their favourite patterns and get into the real-time shopping from the comfort of their habit of wearing their mask, making it a win- own homes via video chat. Browse through win situation for you and your family. premium and exclusive bridal lehengas, sarees, suits, fusion wear and more at your convenience with priority assistance from the Ninecolours Introduces brand’s personal shoppers. Youdesign Couture for Bespoke Designer Wear Ninecolours to Launch Royal Ninecolours recently launched Youdesign Couture, a platform where the brand o%ers a Wedding Collection Ninecolours will soon showcase its new royal custom-made collection of designer out!ts. wedding collection for the !rst time. Inspired With the help of this platform, you can by the Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors, create your own custom designer garment the curated fall wedding collection features from scratch and have your bespoke out!t themes of travel, architecture and the artistic delivered at your doorstep. pietra dura stonework. It will be handcra"ed What’s more, Ninecolours assures that you with glass to re$ect endless love and modern will enjoy the highest quality of products embroidery. Pietra dura and glass karigari with the best cra"smanship and !nish. symbolise the free-spirited love, light, purity #e dedicated and hardworking team at and beauty that come from within and rede!ne Youdesign Couture strives to provide the best style. shopping experience and makes sure that you #e colour scheme of the collection conveys !nd what you are looking for. So, recreate crisp autumn shades and is an assemblage red carpet looks to suit your style and body of contemporary charm for brides and type with the help of Ninecolours’ team of bridesmaids. It sets the tone for a bright new designers and get unique out!ts for all kinds season, with a little sparkle and a whole lot of of occasions. glamour.

6 vesture April-June2021 Testimonials

I usually do not wear traditional out#ts I recently discovered Ninecolours and was unless the occasion calls for it, but the amazed by their beautiful and extensive beautiful print of this blue Anarkali dress collections! !is gorgeous ensemble that I’m from Ninecolours, which creates a powerful wearing is from their store! contrast, is what I absolutely loved about it! June Biswas Smita Roy Majumdar

I’m so in love with this out#t from Ninecolours. It looks amazing! Vishwa

I really loved my wedding out#t I’m wearing this stunning ensemble from Ninecolours!!! from Ninecolours, and I totally loved Dhara Chudasama this out#t! Manasi Moghe

vesture April-June 2021 7 New Arrivals What’s Hot A look at the latest trends in fashion.

Rock the traditional look with this desi yet modern-looking lehenga choli set that is made of so! net fabric and is handcra!ed with resham and sequence work. The icy blue suits different skin tones, making this lehenga choli a perfect ensemble for every Indian beauty out there. Price: `4,230 Website: www.ninecolours.com

8 vesture april-june 2021 New Arrivals

This gorgeous peach saree is a versatile garment that can be donned at any grand occasion, be it weddings, festivities or parties. Made of net fabric, the saree is embellished with intricate embroidery, sequence and thread work, making it a rich and cherished work of art. Price: `4,839 Website: www.ninecolours.com

vesture april-june 2021 9 New Arrivals

Show off your demure yet playful personality with this colourful lehenga choli that has a trendy take on summer prints and boasts exquisite mirror work, foil print, thread work, and embroidery on an off-white base. Made of lightweight organza, the lehenga choli is comfortable enough to wear in the sweltering heat at weddings and parties, so that you can stay cool and chic. Price: `7,560 Website: www.ninecolours.com

10 vesture april-june 2021 New Arrivals

Enjoy the spotlight for your classy style as you don this mesmerising designer gown in navy blue. Cra!ed from taffeta silk, the gown is sure to keep all eyes on you for its rich colour and the eye-catching print at the waist and hem. Price: `3,960 Website: www.ninecolours.com

vesture april-june 2021 11 Stay at your fashionable best with this stunning metallic blue lehenga choli created from so! net fabric. The bold outfit is enriched with resham and sequence work and will make you stand out from the crowd. Price: `4,860 Website: www.ninecolours.com

12 vesture april-june 2021 This stylish Benarasi saree is made from woven silk and is a handy ethnic outfit for all kinds of festive and traditional occasions. Part of Ninecolours' new arrival collection, the saree boasts a colourful, ethereal print on the pallu and blouse that makes the alluring drape one of a kind. Price: `2,977 Website: www.ninecolours.com

vesture april-june 2021 13 Style Directory The Best Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Stylish Dads !e fashion insider’s ultimate shopping guide.

Text | Caroline Chorattil Rasal

POLISHED PANACHE Celebrate Father’s Day (for the uninitiated, it’s on 20th June this year) in style with these dapper out!ts from Ninecolours (Available on www.ninecolours.com). #e o%-white jacquard kurta and the white poly cotton pyjamas (`3,355) are a classic ensemble that can be worn for all kinds of special occasions and will make your dad look like a million bucks. #e yellow silk kurta and the white silk dupion pyjamas (`1,875), too, are a must- have for their handcra"ed !nesse.

FIND THE PERFECT FIT Choosing the perfect gi" for fathers o"en turns out to be more challenging than it appears. Von Wellx Germany (Available on www.vonwellx.com and Amazon, Flipkart, and Tata Cliq), the !rst ever healthy footwear brand in India, has got you covered this Father’s Day with its all-new footwear range. Its ‘Healthy 5’ collection (Starting from `2,299) is a mélange of di%erent footwear styles consisting of monks, brogues, sandals, and slippers in hues of brown, tan, red, and black. #e footwear is made with 5 bed zone re$ex technology that provides a gentle foot massage all day long, relieving pain in the heels, knees and back and also increasing blood circulation. #e footwear comes in 3 di%erent soles (Diabetic Insole Footwear, Energy Insole Footwear, and Swing Insole Footwear) and also ensures a correct foot position and body posture by releasing muscle tension. So, this Father’s Day, show love and care to your pop with ‘Healthy 5’ by Von Wellx Germany.

14 vesture april-june 2021 Style Directory

TIMELESS TREASURES REDEFINE LUXURY With Father’s Day fast approaching, #is Father’s Day, treat your dad to venturing out to grab the picture-perfect statement gi"s from House of Badnore gi" seems like a distant dream. Fret (Available on www.houseo$adnore. not, as India’s most trusted and iconic com). #e Father's Day Luxe range jewellery brand with a rich legacy of 115 (Starting from `1,300) from the brand years, Entice by KGK (Available on www. consists of regal and exclusive pieces entice.in or Entice’s stores in Borivali of cu'inks, pocket squares, and East, Mumbai and MI Road, Jaipur), has Bandhgala buttons along with launched an assortment of !ne jewellery pocket square and cu'ink sets. From exclusively for fathers. intricately enamelled motifs on cu'inks Round-cut white diamonds come in silver plate, to subtle yet striking alive in the form of perfectly cra"ed Bandhgala buttons that have an exotic diamond jewellery to celebrate a appeal in delicate enamel work and priceless emotion that is fatherhood. #e stones, you’ll !nd all this and more in Father’s Day Special collection (Price on the collection. Pocket squares in vibrant request) of elegant bands and bracelets hues, neutral, washed-out textures, makes for a precious accessory for all abstract prints and minimal patterns dads — the hero of our lives. Encrusted make an outstanding individualistic with white diamonds and 18-carat rose style statement, and the matching gold, the band is perfect for a statement pocket square and cu'ink sets accentuate look. #e diamond studded ring the debonair touch. bracelet with intricate detailing is sure to elevate any look, whether traditional or contemporary. #e sturdy patterns are etched in this range with a cluster setting of white diamonds and a classic blend of white, rose and yellow gold.

vesture april-june 2021 15 Style Directory

A SCENT-SATIONAL AFFAIR True!tt & Hill (Available on www.true#ttandhill.in/collections/all), one of the oldest and !nest traditional gentlemen's barber shops and perfumers worldwide, has launched a cool new range of colognes that make for a heady Father’s Day gi" set. Gra"on Cologne (`5,900) is a classic, woody, sophisticated fragrance with spicy oriental notes. It has top notes of lavender, lemon and basil, a heart of wood, cedar, incense and rose, and a base of patchouli, sandal, tonka, amber and musk. Apsley Cologne (`7,000) has been formulated to ignite the senses with a re!ned blend of smouldering woods accentuated by light citrus notes. #e harmonious overtones of woody vetiver are li"ed with a refreshing essence of grapefruit and accentuated with notes of pepper, while its heart of cedarwood and patchouli, which has been enriched by sensual notes of musk, gives an alluring base to this captivating fragrance. Trafalgar Cologne (`5,900) reveals its distinguished heritage with top notes of cedar and sandalwood complimented by subtle base notes of jasmine, spice musk and vetiver. #e trio make for an enchanting scent-sory experience that your father will thoroughly enjoy and cherish.

BESPOKE CRAFTSMANSHIP Alberto Torresi (Available on www.albertotorresi. com, all leading online shopping sites and over 700 POS across India), an iconic homegrown footwear brand known for its innovation and eccentric designs, brings together vintage and contemporary aesthetics for the special occasion of Father’s Day. Fine detailing, new-age designs, and futuristic patterns complete its latest ‘Impressive Aesthetics’ collection (Starting from `4,995) in the most modish way. Cra"ed with so" leather and synthetic construction, the brand’s collection has a re!ned appeal with a touch of sophistication. #e two- toned silhouette in the footwear range makes BLENDING COMFORT WITH it a charming !t for both formal occasions and STYLE casual galas. From beige buckles to check prints Numero Uno’s EVA sole loafers in loafers, there is a wide variety of new elements (Available on all online platforms introduced in this collection by and Numero Uno stores) are an ideal Alberto Torresi that will radiate an gi" for fathers who love to showcase unparalleled elegance in your dad’s their style without compromising style statement. on comfort. Made of so" EVA soles, these elegant loafers (Starting from `3,500) will blend well with formal and semi-formal looks while ensuring all-day comfort.

16 vesture april-june 2021 Your Shopping Guide Women’s Nangalia Ruchira label re!ects the Day Special culture of the designer's native land, !e ultimate guide to shopping Make your Women’s Day brunch Rajasthan. "e all your fashion needs. with your girl gang a stylish designer has always a!air with Ninecolours’ printed been amazed and south cotton tunic in the Pantone Color of the Year — Ultimate intrigued by the Grey — and scarlet red rayon slim embroidery and dying #t pants (`1,950). Pair this chic techniques of ensemble with silver jhumkas Rajasthani craftsmen. made of brass (`1,129) and brass necklace in silver colour All this survives and (`733) by Ninecolours (www. re!ects in her ninecolours.com). Add so$ colour creations. and de#nition to your cheekbones and lips with a dab of Kiko Milano’s Wonder Woman Power Flush Lips and Cheeks (`1,190 – Available at all KIKO Milano stores in New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru), and complete the look with these black wedge sandals (Starting from `2,099 onwards) by Von Wellx Germany (www.vonwellx.com).

Dress up to the nines for an evening out with friends or family on Women’s Day with this classy maroon half-sleeved drape gown (`2,990) by Ninecolours (www.ninecolours.com) that is accented with printed details on both sides. Complement it with Ninecolours’ beautiful silver jhumkas made of brass (`198) and brass necklace in silver colour ((`2,705) along with Woods’ ankle-length pointed high-heeled closed-toe boots (`7,495) from their Boot-ilicious Collection (Available at all Woods stores) for a powerful look. Prepare and highlight your eyelids using Kiko Milano’s Wonder Woman Metal Power Liquid Eyeshadow (`1,150) in Majestic Mauve, and get fuller, deeply coloured lips with the Power Shine Explosion Lip Stylo (`1,390) in Special Mauve or Gorgeous Rose (Available at all KIKO Milano stores in New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Now available at Now available at Pune, and Bengaluru). www.ninecolours.com 10A vesture Jan-MAR 2021 vesture april-june 2021 17 cover story

18 vesture april-june 2021 cover story

!m"racin# Curves wit$ C%n&'ence

In an exclusive interview, actress Vahbiz Dorabjee talks about how the body posi- tivity movement has ushered in a new age for fashion and society.

Text | Caroline Chorattil Rasal

vesture april-june 2021 19 cover story

ctress, model and body positivity advocate Vahbiz Dorabjee, who has been part of several popular TV series such as Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani, Saraswatichandra, and Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant, is no stranger to fame. But the actress, who has also successfully hosted a web show titled Showbiz with Vahbiz, has you can’t put always used her power and popularity to shed light on issues plaguing people, particularly women. She everybody (has been especially vocal about body-image issues on social media and other platforms and in$uenced many through her work. in the same In a conversation, Vahbiz highlights how growing awareness about body neutrality has helped rede!ne ways in which people are viewed standard box and treated, and how this has impacted fashion trends. and expect What is your personal style them to be of statement like? I have always loved to $aunt my curves and I am proud of my body. I’m not one of those who shy one size. away from fashion. Moreover, for me, comfort is most important. So, I love to wear dresses, especially $owy ones, and Indian wear suits me as well. I love saris too. But as I said, I'm more of a dress person. What, according to you, has What is your take on body propelled the rise of the body neutrality? positivity movement? I'm extremely happy with the change that has been If you are going to put down somebody so much happening in this space. People need to now stop over the years, eventually, there will be a revolution. judging and change their perception. And I am not If you keep demeaning and discriminating women saying this because I'm on the curvy side. Rather, and passing remarks against them, while saying this is something that anyone of any shape, size you can’t wear this and can’t do this because you're or colour keeps facing, which is really not fair. We fat, people will !ght back one day and speak up for need to show humanity !rst. And that is the reason themselves and others. And I am so glad that so that so many people are now coming out strongly many women are speaking up, including actresses with the message of body positivity. It’s high time and social media in$uencers. #e trend is changing. that the discrimination stops and people start to People are now realising that while of course, behave in a more humane manner. Everyone is one should be healthy, there are a number of people fed up with the remarks being passed to them and who naturally have a larger frame and who su%er the way women in particular are treated. Being from PCOD and other hormonal issues. So you overweight is not a crime. can’t put everybody in the same standard box and I strongly believe in body positivity and I'm a expect them to be of one size. Also, everyone has very balanced person, but I’ve faced body shaming their own wishes and desires, and they can wear too. So, I resonate a lot with this cause and want the just what they like. #ere are no golden rules or status quo to improve soon. hard and fast rules anywhere, including in fashion.

20 vesture april-june 2021 vesture april-june 2021 21 cover story

22 vesture Jan-MAR 2021 cover story

brands and designers need to work more on the designs for plus-size women and improve the fitting and style.

How do you think has the fashion who are already creating beautiful clothes. But they only need to create a shi" in their perception to market evolved in the last few years actually promote body positivity. Once they do this, to cater to the needs and demands then there’s no stopping them. #ey also need to of the body positivity movement? understand that it’s not about the size game as much Well, the evolution has been slow, but there has as catering to all kinds of body types and designs. still been a change and that's really nice. #ere are #is very thought will help them bring innovation now a lot of brands that cater to plus-size women. I and newness into their designs. Many new brands can see more and more online stores and designers who understand this fact are entering the market catering to di%erent body types, and delightful, and capturing it on a steady footing. trendy clothes are coming in. I’ve witnessed this Moreover, brands and designers need to work change !rst-hand. Due to my size, I have faced a lot more on the designs for plus-size women and of problems and a number of designers and stylists improve the !tting and style. Plus-size fashion can have ditched me at the last minute before a show or become even trendier. Even today, there are a lot of project. But two years ago, I walked the ramp as the limitations imposed in fashion that need to be done showstopper for aLL in a collaboration with Rina away with. Most importantly, the whole title game Dhaka at Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW). I was really of plus size and standard size needs to stop. Each to proud and happy to be part of the show. their own. You need to leave it up to the consumer But there’s still a long way to go. Even in this to make their choice, whether they want to wear a day and age, there are a lot of designers who are still swimsuit or anything else for that matter. But it’s not catering to the plus-size segment, which I feel di(cult to !nd good options in, say swimsuits, is unfair. As I said earlier, you can’t have standard which makes them shy away completely from such sizes for everyone. Each person is di%erent, as are clothing types. We need to change that. their sizes. We also need to note that Indian women are well-endowed. So, designers need to change How can we as consumers change their ways and perception. #ere is a lot more scope our mindset and bring about this for change. But as I said, there has been a start, and I’m sure that we as a society will do better. change? #is vicious circle of brands selling standard sizes and consumers buying them irrespective of their What, according to you, should body type has been going on for ages. People brands, designers and in$uencers have been judging and putting down women for centuries, which has broken the latter’s con!dence do to promote body positivity and and made them try to conform to the clothing sizes make fashion inclusive for all? handed out to them. So, even today, not all the First of all, we need to change our mindset. #e women out there have regained their con!dence and moment brands and designers change their mindset accepted their bodies the way they are. #ere is still and perception, they'll be able to make real change a lot of stigma attached to body sizes and types. in the fashion world and make fashion inclusive So, I would advise all the women to please believe for all. #ere are millions of talented designers in yourself. Be con!dent in your skin. #at is most

vesture april-june 2021 23 cover story

important. Don’t let society break you. If you feel that you look good and want to wear a certain out!t that makes you happy, then kudos! Go for it. Choose your happiness !rst. All these regressive ideas about our bodies have stemmed through our minds, our perception and our society. So, if you start promoting body positivity even in a small way and show an act of kindness to yourself and others, the change will come, one day or another. As an actress, I have also been talking on various social platforms about body positivity; in$uencers have started talking about it too. It will take a while, but the change will come. And I am seeing this change happen gradually. I see a lot of plus-size women promoting this cause and changing others’ mindsets on Instagram. And these women are so con!dent and beautiful. I’m so happy for them and for this positive change.

How do you see the future of the body positivity movement? #is is only the beginning. Just wait and watch. Gone are those days of repression and body shaming. #e revolution will get bigger, and people, including women, will rise and speak up for themselves. #ey will not shy away anymore from speaking their minds and wearing what they like. #ey will learn to be comfortable in their skin, believe in themselves and be con!dent.

Before signing o%, do tell us what your upcoming projects are! I have made a shi" towards OTT. Last year, I made my debut on the digital platform with a web series called Kashmakash, which was aired on Hungama Play and MX Player. I've also just !nished shooting for a project with Pratik Babbar that is directed by Kunal Kohli. But I'm not allowed to reveal any more details. I'm doing pretty well as an in$uencer too. #at job keeps me busy all the time because creating content and shooting new ads, photos and videos is not easy. But as in$uencers, it is our duty to use our social media handles in a positive way to help others. 24 vesture april-june 2021 vesture Jan-MAR 2021 A LoveThyself cover story

In a tête-à-tête, actress Raima Sen talks about the need to love and accept your body and its needs in order to truly embrace body positivity.

Text | Caroline Chorattil Rasal

Photographer | Tathagata Ghosh

Actress Raima Sen, who has starred in Hindi and Bengali movies such as Manorama Six Feet Under, Bollywood Diaries, Children of War, 3 ADev, Vodka Diaries, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., !e Japanese Wife, Nishijapon, and Maach Mishti & More with equal panache, is known for her acting prowess and impeccable fashion sense. Her style mirrors her acting choices that are bold, con!dent and on point. I speak to the actress on the changing face of fashion and how the body positivity movement has le" its mark on the fashion scene.

What is your personal style statement like? I believe in dressing comfortably and casually, and I wear whatever suits me and !ts me well. My style leans towards comfortable fashion.

What is your take on body neutrality? For me, body neutrality is all about listening to your body. I listen to my body a lot and follow what my body tells me. I don’t go by the society’s rules of what we should do, wear or eat. If I don’t like something or something isn’t good for me, my body automatically rejects it. In terms of fashion, I try to wear clothes that enhance my !gure instead of dressing to impress or to follow trends. I only buy clothes that make me feel comfortable and look good. I feel that it is most important to listen to your body and understand yourself. It also helps to practise mindfulness. #ese little things matter a lot in your journey towards wholly accepting your body.

vesture april-june 2021 27 cover story

We as consumers can promote body positivity and What, according to you, has propelled the rise of the body bring about the positivity movement? I think that the body positivity movement came to the fore with the rise in body change by being shaming. When people began to get tired of the negativity and of being body out there, being shamed, they began to stand up for themselves and speak out, propelling the body positivity movement to new heights. ourselves and How do you think the fashion being natural. market has evolved in the last few years to cater to the needs and demands of the body positivity movement? What, according to you, should Today, if we check out Indian as well as brands, designers and in$uencers international fashion, we can !nd clothes do to promote body positivity for all kinds of sizes. Brands are now and make fashion inclusive for catering to di%erent needs, sizes and body types. #ey aren’t only sticking to one all? body type, which is great. #e concept I !nd that brands, designers and of being size zero is slowly leaving us, in$uencers are already promoting signalling a positive time for our society. body positivity on a growing basis. #e trends are changing in India as well as internationally, and the fashion industry is What are the trends that you see now catering to all kinds of people. in this space? I think that the latest trend is to be How can we as consumers bring comfortable in your own skin and about this change? stay natural. People are now getting We as consumers can promote body comfortable with their body. #ey are positivity and bring about the change by increasingly realising that there’s no need being out there, being ourselves and being to be skinny or a size zero in order to be natural. It is important to show everyone accepted by the society. that it is okay to be you.

28 vesture april-june 2021 cover story

vesture april-june 2021 15 cover story

How do you see the future of the body positivity movement? #e body positivity movement will surely do well. It is here to stay. A"er all this time, especially during the pandemic, we have also learnt and grown a lot as people. We have become more open to change. So, I feel that this trend will be a success and body positivity will be the new norm.

On a !nal note, what are your upcoming projects? My current series, !e Last Hour, is being aired on Amazon Prime. You will soon be seeing me in Mai, an upcoming crime thriller show on Net$ix that is being produced by Anushka Sharma. I have a Tamil action thriller !lm called Agni Siragugal coming up as well, and I will also be seen in the Bollywood romantic thriller titled Aliya Basu Gayab Ho Gayi with Vinay Pathak. So there’s a lot happening on the work front that you can watch out for!

A vesture Jan-MAR 2021 cover story

The body positivity movement will surely do well. It is here to stay.

vesture april-june 2021 31 vesture april-june 2021 17 32 vesture april-june 2021 cover story

Ce!e"rate

In a conversation, actress Debina Bonnerjee talks about how the body positivity movement calls for being true to oneself and staying !t as per one’s bodyu type instead of following the Y#!tness bandwagon. Text | Caroline Chorattil Rasal Photographer | Khushboo Gulati Hair & Makeup | Sushma Gohil

ctress and in!uencer Debina What is your style statement like? Bonnerjee is famous for her I do not like casual clothes much. I love to dress roles in TV series such as up to the nines. My fashion essentials usually Ramayan, Chidiya Ghar, Dr. include a pair of cotton trousers and a short Madhumati On Duty, Santoshi T-shirt or a #gure-hugging T-shirt. I am not a Maa, and Aladdin - Naam big fan of baggy T-shirts. But as the lockdown Toh Suna Hoga as well as has forced us to stay at home, I mostly wear reality TV shows such as Pati Patni Aur Woh, casuals nowadays. $e lockdown has, to be Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan-Nawaazi Ki, Nach honest, changed my de#nition of style and ABaliye Shriman v/s Shrimati, Nach Baliye 6, and fashion quite a lot! Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 5, among others. But the demure actress, who enjoys a massive fan following on social media, is also active in What is your take on body the fashion, beauty and lifestyle scene. Moreover, positivity? she is working towards helping upcoming Indian I feel that there are two ways of looking at body fashion designers to connect to a wider audience positivity. and sustain their cra" and livelihood. $e #rst is that the idea of the perfect body In an interview, Debina opens up about the propagated by Instagram and other social new era of fashion in light of the body positivity media platforms leads people to depression and movement and why one must focus on staying creates an environment of toxicity around them. #t and healthy instead of conforming to societal It causes so many other issues such as insomnia. norms and de#nitions of #tness and size. I believe that you should be happy as you are

vesture april-june 2021 33 cover story

34 vesture april-june 2021 cover story

Pregnancy, hormones and and as you are made to be. $ere is a di%erence between being thin and being #t. Attaining a size zero #gure for others is not right for your body. a whole lot of other Only you know what your body needs and what its de#nition of #tness is. Being large does not mean factors change the body, being un#t or unhealthy. $e second view is that #tness is essential. If you are unhealthy, you must not be lax about it so there will always be or let yourself go. I don’t believe in giving up on yourself. Be your kind of #t. You will instinctively know whether you are #t and healthy. When you fluctuation in body sizes are #t, your body will automatically feel healthy and strong. You can only achieve good health by eating and that is natural. right and exercising regularly. Many people get worried that others may judge them about their size or lifestyle; to them I say — forget about others and focus on yourself. You must not adopt a defence mechanism that tells you to be happy the way you are when you know that you are not leading a healthy lifestyle. $is will in turn lead you to gain unnecessary weight. Fitness is important, not size.

What according to you has propelled the rise of the body positivity movement? Over the years, the in!uence of social media has grown tremendously. Social media platforms showcase an edited, super#cial and hunky-dory version of life full of love, laughter and pretty pictures. It shows people leading happy and carefree lives, thus giving us the perception that ‘they’ lead a better, happier life than we do and nothing is right with our lives. $is in turn makes us feel more stressed, anxious and depressed. $e reality, however, is that people only portray what they want on social media. $ey do not present their life the way it is. Most importantly, in order to get that one perfect shot, a thousand shots are taken, which is a lot of hard work. $e latter is always hidden behind the camera. We should not think of ourselves in a lowlier position than others just because of what is portrayed on social media. Bollywood, too, has always had an immense e%ect on body image and body positivity. $ere was a time when the size zero trend was popular, and it pushed people to follow that ‘benchmark’ and torture themselves to #t into that body size. It was only when the paps revealed that stars also !uctuate in their body sizes that people were made more aware about these facts and the trend #zzled out. Stars do not remain skinny throughout their lives! Pregnancy, hormones and a whole lot of other factors change the body, so there will always be !uctuation in body sizes and that is natural. vesture april-june 2021 35 cover story

36A vesture Jan-MARapril-june 2021 2021 cover story

$ere is growing awareness today about What do you think should brands these facts which has led to the rise of the body positivity movement. $e movement calls for and designers do to promote body people to be enlightened and educated. Education positivity and make fashion inclusive leads to a greater understanding of the meaning for all? of perfection and that nothing in this world is $e change has already begun. $e fashion !awless. People are now learning that they are industry is working towards incorporating fashion perfect as they are and it is important to be happy inclusivity in its designs and collections. When in their mind, not on social media. Instead of I had been to London, I saw an entire section pushing our bodies to #t into the regular mould, dedicated to plus-size fashion, complete with plus- we must love and appreciate our bodies for sized mannequins. Today, you no longer have to sustaining us so beautifully for so many years. search long and hard for plus-sized clothing; it is Moreover, one must not feel pressurised to out there for everyone to see. $at is what I #nd emulate someone else or follow the latest fad. You amazing. only need to feel comfortable in your own body To promote the body positivity movement and look good for yourself, not for someone else. further and truly represent fashion inclusivity, We must also appreciate the work of the media brands and designers should also showcase and the in!uencers who have strived to dispel their plus-size fashion designs through plus-size myths surrounding #tness and body types and models. Even today, most of the plus-size fashion is popularised self-love and body positivity, so that displayed on thin models instead of their real target more and more people can gain con#dence about audience — the plus-size market. $at needs to their body and accept themselves as they are. $is change. If designers go more for plus-size models, has led to a breath of fresh air for all of us. actors and in!uencers for their plus-size designs, that will bring about real change and showcase What do you think about the body body positivity in its true form. positivity movement vis-à-vis fashion? How do you see the future of the body Fashion trends keep rotating and returning. Over positivity movement? the years, I have seen several trends rotate, such as I see the body positivity movement moving into a the retro-style polka dot prints and bell-bottoms brighter future. Around a decade ago, there was so that were all the rage on-screen when I was much of hullabaloo around size zero. Today, it has young. Fashion keeps repeating itself, but what changed. $ere is de#nitely a dri" towards #tness, I #nd remarkable is people’s con#dence levels but without the unhealthy notions surrounding and their growing acceptance of body positivity. it. People are now more aware that #tness means Today, they have released their inhibitions and having a healthy body and strong immunity, not wear exactly what they want. $ey !aunt their being anorexic. Also, with the lockdown, people bodies beautifully and stand out from the crowd have realised that mental health is more important with con#dence and style. Age-old adages such than anything else. So, they have taken to practising as “Cover yourself!”, “$ose clothes will not look mindfulness and eating well so that they can look good on you”, or “What will people say?” have and feel better and deal with the lockdown in a become redundant. $is makes me believe that healthy way. It is all going in the right direction. social acceptability has increased. Size no longer matters today. What are your upcoming projects that Such con#dence gives you a mental boost so that no matter what you wear, you will exude we will see you in? Until the lockdown ends, I don’t think that you positivity and radiance and always look good. If will see me in any project as I’m not stepping out you don’t wear your style with con#dence, then no for shoots currently. Once things are at least a little matter how gorgeous your out#t is, it will not look better, I might take up a few projects. As soon as I good on you. People have realised this, which has sign something, I will announce it to the world! brought about so much positive change.

vesture Jan-MAR 2021 37 Fashion Forward

Plus & Japnah by © Majestic proud 38 vesture april-june 2021 Fashion Forward

Plus-size clothing is making fashion inclusive for all without discriminating on the basis of size and is steadily #nding its own calling.

Text | Bindu Gopal Rao

hen studying in the 80s, plus-size market in India has a 12 percent a friend who was well- share of the overall fashion segment and built shared a grouse is projected to grow at 25 percent per that she could never !nd annum for the next !ve years. Plus-size readymade clothes as her consumers constitute about 67 percent of size was never available. the population, generating around US$21 Today, however, plus- billion in annual sales. sizeW clothing is a category that is booming. An Alchemy Market Research Report says THE PLUS FACTOR that the global plus-size women’s clothing Today, people are becoming comfortable market size was estimated at US$181.07 with the way they look, and clothes are billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at being made for all body types. Also, as a CAGR of 4.6 percent every year from people are loving their bodies the way they 2019–2028. Other reports say that the are, many apparel makers are working to © Vixxen Japnah by © Majestic Library Fashion ©Vegan vesture april-june 2021 39 Fashion Forward

wear and what one cannot depending on their size is what is helping everyone gain acceptance of their true self. It is now a shopping spree for every individual, without being conscious or pressurised about their appearance. Unfortunately, earlier there weren't many options for plus-size clothing, but now more brands are becoming inclusive in terms of sizes and drawing a parallel to all the new trends seen in general. “An increasing number of women are opting for laid-back skirts, line pants and joggers. Comfort clothing and laid-back fashion becoming mainstream, post- pandemic workwear will see the rise of more loose-!tted bottoms. Yoga pants, palazzos, cigarette pants, joggers and comfy linen pants are becoming popular,” says Karishma Choudhary, Founder, Banthan Bano. © Posette SIZE NO BAR create garments that !t consumers perfectly. Shristi Chetani, Founder & Head Designer, Majestic by Japnah — a brand that Label Shristi Chetani, who works on custom believes that fashion is for everybody, collections, says that all their styles are irrespective of age, shape or dress size — available for plus size. “We like to focus on has a new plus-size collection that includes styles which are worn by all body types and comfortable, trendy out!ts that allow not just focus on a speci!c category. If we customers to feel their best. “Our goal is to talk about trends, we cannot divide them for make sure that women everywhere wearing standard-size clothing or plus-size clothing. Majestic feel self-con!dent about their Trends are trends. In fashion, every trend is !gures and proud of their curves. I feel that for everyone and I believe that it is totally we should dress according to our body type on the person as to how they want to carry and not size. So, classic silhouettes work it. But speaking of the current trend, with all the best, like wrap dresses; peplum tops the body positivity campaigns going around, along with pencil skirts or boot-cut pants. we can see clients being more open to try Lastly, choosing the right fabric is very di%erent styles,” says Chetani. important. It should be of substance and “Trying to !nd jeans that !t well, are structured,” says Japnah Gambhir, Founder butt-li"ing and $atter your shape in general and Designer of Majestic by Japnah. is hard enough, but it becomes harder for plus-size women to !nd something that is CURVE EFFECT both $attering and comfortable. It’s rare for plus-size women to have a favourite pair #e response to plus-size clothes is of denims, which pushed us as a brand to undoubtedly great as people with plus-size launch 'Freakins Curve' that aims to listen bodies are also able to enjoy a variety of to our consumers and provide them with options that were not available to them so denims that !t like a glove, while being easily. #ey are getting all kinds of looks trendy and a%ordable at the same time,” says that they are looking for. Eliminating Shaan Shah, COO, Freakins. this preconceived notion of what one can 40 vesture april-june 2021 Fashion Forward

TREND CHECK As no two bodies are the same, standardised sizes do not generally work and customisation is imperative. Online retail with plus sizes faces a major challenge as curvy women generally like to feel and try on clothes before buying. #e fall of the out!t and fabric matters a great deal. “Plus-size clothing is becoming bold and experimental. Cuts, fabrics, textures, prints — no longer are they boring or sack-like. #e response has been fabulous. Since it is a niche market, reaching the correct clientele is important. But we have been through the dark days of curvy fashion where curvy women had limited options. Today, when something is available to them, it is welcomed with open arms,” says Gayatri Singh, Founder, Vixxen. With plus size being more and more acceptable and encouraged, it must have

certain options available for its customer. Japnah by © Majestic “For example, with plus-size clothing, you cannot just keep a standard sizing chart since two women from the plus-size section may need very di%erent !ts as per their body curves. #erefore, one must always keep customisation open, especially for © Freakins plus size,” says Sonia Sachdev, Founder of Posette.

ALL ABOARD Fashion designer Hala Al Mamari adds that she has an all-inclusive collection that is regardless of size, colour and body shape, and every woman would !nd a suitable

piece that will boost her con!dence and © Freakins $atter her body. “I believe in uniqueness and not following the rules. If I could advise a woman to follow a rule in dressing up, it is that life is short, play dress up, and try di%erent and new things until you !nd the piece that makes your eyes sparkle. Almost 60 percent of our clients are plus- © Freakins size, and we love to see them glowing with con!dence. #ey love the pieces and also

vesture april-june 2021 41 Fashion Forward

love how the dresses accentuate their curves. #e most important thing that we concentrate on is the support in the underlining; we even use a customised built-in corset for each client when needed. Without the perfect support, the

overall look is easily compromised,” says © Freakins Mamari.

MARKET CALL When brands do add plus-size choices, there are still many ways that they can hit the wrong chord with their target marketplace. Also, not a lot of women realise their body type and look for plus- size clothing, thus creating a smaller section in the market. Choudhary begs to di%er, explaining, “#ere are no such challenges; I look at it as an opportunity

instead because I get more fabric to work © Freakins with and more space for my imagination to just spread. #e skills needed to execute plus-size clothing e%ectively are di%erent from straight sizes.” #e main mantra for any trend

to spread its reach is to be highly © Freakins

comfortable. Any and every garment © Freakins that is comfortable becomes the trend of the season. From loungewear to party dresses, comfort has become the priority without a doubt. “Plus size being a highly demanded segment also asks for easy-to- carry clothing to make one look con!dent © Freakins and powerful. Nowadays, every single person wants to embrace themselves, no matter what their shape, size or colour is; the only agenda is to feel good in one’s own body. And hence, the new trend currently swaying around is to wear © Freakins !tted/body-hugging jeans, dresses or tops that $aunt their curves,” says Sachev. Plus-size clothes are just the beginning of fashion inclusivity. Soon these sizes will no longer be referred to as plus size and then it will really change how fashion is perceived by all, irrespective of their body. And a"er all, when fashion is accessible to all without limits, it becomes all-pervasive and signals body positivity too. © Freakins

42 vesture april-june 2021 vesture april-june 2021 43 Design Corner

Carefree Apparel

Summer Somewhere is a women’s clothing brand that is an ode to the girl in pursuit of an endless summer.

Text | Bindu Gopal Rao

lothes that are free-spirited, comes from. I am also the kind of person support a conscious lifestyle, who takes a lot of pictures of inspiring and are extremely wearable details; this could be cool co%ee art or the and trendy — well, all this mosaic tiles in an old palace or curios in and more is what makes a $ea market. I am always making mood up the clothing line of the boards, which sets the direction for every brand Summer Somewhere, collection.” whose collection of breezy A"er her graduation in Integrated dresses, lightweight tops and co-ord sets in Marketing from New York University, romantic prints and so" pastels captures Meghna went on to join Clear (M&C the essence of a vacation. Saatchi) as a brand strategist in New York. “A big part of me loves to consume HOLIDAY SPIRIT information when travelling, especially At Summer Somewhere, clothes are when it comes to people and their designed to bring alive the holiday vibe and wardrobes. I was lucky to live in New York capture the warmth of the sun's rays and which further shaped my design sensibility. coolness of the sea breeze. Handmade in It is the easiest city to fall in love with,” says Mumbai, the clothes use local fabrics that Goyal. Moving back to India, alongside are sourced from ethical vendors. Founder Summer Somewhere, Meghna also leads Meghna Goyal explains, “I am a summer the design strategy for her family-run girl through and through. It is my perpetual business, Salt Lake Shirts Pvt. Ltd., which state of mind (and by extension, of our has been in the garment export business clothes as well), which is where the name for over 40 years.

44 vesture april-june 2021 Design Corner © All images: Summer Somewhere Summer © All images: ©Vegan Fashion Library Fashion ©Vegan vesture april-june 2021 45 Design Corner

INSPIRED LIVING Interestingly, Goyal decided to start Summer Somewhere as she realised that there wasn’t a clothing brand in India that was catering to vacation wear that was trendy, a%ordable and timeless. Talking about the purpose behind starting the line, she says, “We all shop when we are on holiday, but we also do shop before a trip to put together a speci!c wardrobe. And that’s where the idea for the brand came from. At the same time, it was very important to me that the clothes be versatile and trans- seasonal. It had to have repeat value and the ability to transition into your everyday wardrobe a"er the trip. So, Summer Somewhere marries my love for travel and fashion.”

DO THE NEW #e brand’s new collection called ‘A Sandy Dream Come True’ is inspired by sandy landscapes and is so dreamy that you can almost feel the sand between your toes. #e colour palette is inspired from desert lights and canyons and their earthy tones. Luscious reds, rust and yellows are peppered with subtle hints of pink, lilac and white. #is new collection features popular favourites such as baggy pants and bralettes in a range of colours, and dresses and jumpsuits with whimsical cut-outs to $aunt BRAND ETHOS your sun-kissed glow. Havana pants and #e brand is for urban girls and Goyal Tulum shorts can be paired with beautifully feels that authenticity comes from a place tailored tie tops, while mini and midi of relatability. So, every piece is one that dresses simply add a graceful $ounce. she, her friends and even the girls next “We have two types of drops that we door would wear. Goyal explains, “Summer release every couple of months. One is our Somewhere is more attainable than collection of feminine pieces — dresses and aspirational. We are very real. For instance, co-ords. You will spot a lot of slip dresses, I shot my launch pieces on my girlfriends ditsy $orals, and thigh-high slits. Our during a trip to Mykonos in August 2019, most recent pieces take a"er the colours of and it was like a test run-cum-photo shoot the canyons and the deserts. #e other is that I photographed and the girls self-styled our knitwear range. #ese are our lower- in tune with their personalities.” priced items of tees, tanks, and sweatshirts. Keeping in mind how the consumer We release limited styles over the year, as dressing sense has evolved over the past opposed to seasonal collections. We launch year, !nding comfort while keeping that new styles once every 2.5 to 3 months,” says chic factor alive is extremely crucial. For Goyal. someone who has always liked to invest in

46 vesture april-june 2021 Design Corner

high-quality clothes that are trendy as well Another thing that makes the brand as timeless, Goyal’s personal style is also stand out, says Goyal, is that they really very easy-going. “You will notice that it is listen to what the consumer wants — what the overall vibe of Summer Somewhere too, consumers like and don’t like. “We use that which is a re$ection of my personal style,” feedback to carefully shape our products, she says. styles and even content. For example, we Being eco-friendly, the brand uses azo- learned from the !rst drop that the people free dyes and inks that are GOTS-certi!ed. responded better to prints than solids. We “To me, being sustainable and ethical is also o"en do Instagram polls and email not a di%erentiator anymore but instead campaigns to understand what styles they is a requirement. At Summer Somewhere, prefer before we design the next range of we only use fabrics with natural !bres. products,” signs o% Goyal. So, when the items are washed, there are no microplastics that are released in the environment or even when discarded — the items are 100 percent biodegradable,” says Goyal. #e collection is available to shop at www.summersomewhereshop.com and the brand ships all over the world.

THE USP High-quality clothes that are trendy as well as timeless is how Goyal describes the brand’s unique selling proposition. “#is is a prêt label that is speci!cally designed for those seeking to complete their wardrobe before a trip as compared to others in the market. We think hard about how our pieces can work in a holiday setting, such as for those sunset cruises, poolside drinks or brunch at a beach bar. But we also think about how they will translate into o%-duty looks once you’re !nally back home, too. We want our shoppers to get maximum wears out of their buys. We’re looking to evoke a feeling — that of nostalgic summer adventures. It is about how our clothes make you feel and the good times they remind you of,” says Goyal. During the peak of the lockdown, they went months with a zero net revenue. “Being a new business (launched just months before the COVID-19 outbreak), it was extremely disheartening, but we didn't give up and kept our marketing activities ongoing vs. pulling back. And once the economy started to open up, we saw a spike in sales which also restored our faith in the product,” adds Goyal. vesture april-june 2021 47 Fibres & Weaves Wrap and Roll !e little known Tangaliya textile cra% has transitioned from being solely for traditional garments for local communities in Gujarat to one for garments and accessories with an international appeal.

Text | Brinda Gill © Asif Shaikh © Asif Fibres & Weaves

cross India, in the rhythm of weavers’ looms, yarns meet to create a spectrum of beautiful textiles for rituals and sacred spaces, attire, gi"ing, home decoration, animal ornamentation andA other purposes. Adorning cloth are motifs that may be created with weaving supplementary yarns of di%erent types to stand out against the ground colours. In addition, motifs may be painted, embroidered, dyed or printed using di%erent techniques, or beads or metal elements may be also used to create motifs. While all these techniques span the possibilities of adorning woven cloth, there is yet another amazing technique that is the (whose traditional occupation was pride of villages in Surendranagar district, weaving) fell in love. While there are slight in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. #is is variations in the recalling of the legend, the unique Tangaliya cra" worked during Babu Muljibhai Rathod, 50, a Tangaliya weaving, wherein minute bits of cotton master weaver (who can be contacted Rathod Muljibhai © Babu or wool yarn are manually wrapped and on +91-9898109509) living in Dedadera rolled around a few warp yarns to create village, Surendranagar district, says he small, neat, raised dots that look as if tiny believes that a young man from a Rathod beads have been strung into warp yarns. As family from the Bharwad community in these dots are worked across the breadth Rajasthan fell in love with a girl from a and length of warp yarns, they go on to local weaver community. make up individual motifs which in turn “Seven centuries ago, communities are part of a composition. And Tangaliya forbade inter-community marriages. So, weavers say with pride that the cra" is it is said that the young man and woman unique to Surendranagar and possibly not le" their homes in Rajasthan, married and practised anywhere else in the world! travelled to Gujarat. To earn a living, they thought of weaving cloth as the girl knew THE BEGINNINGS weaving. #ey probably made a simple #e beginnings of the Tangaliya weaving loom by taking branches and sticks from technique are traced back seven centuries, the forest, and hand-spun yarn from the when a young man from Bharwad wool of the $ock of sheep they tended. community (whose traditional occupation #ey both probably sat on the loom was shepherding of local sheep) and a holding and rolling the yarn in their hands young woman from a Vankar community and thinking of how they could create Library Fashion ©Vegan vesture april-june 2021 49 Fibres & Weaves

something di%erent. In that process, they thought of rolling yarn on warp yarns to create motifs and thus the technique was born! And the motifs they created were from nature around them and thus we see motifs of trees, peacocks, bushes and mountains,” explains Babubhai. It is said that the young couple wove this patterned cloth and bartered it with members of the local Bharwad community for what they required including wool; the Bharwads being shepherds also supplied them wool for weaving. #e patterned cloth was worn by women by wrapping around their lower bodies with folds. As it covered their legs, it came to be called tangalio, meaning a covering for the taang or legs. #e descendants of the young couple came to be called Dangasia, from the word dang that means stick, referring to the long stick always carried by a shepherd to tend his $ock. And over time, the Dangasia men continued weaving on looms in their homes, with the women assisting in preparation of the yarns for weaving. #e Dangasia women also wore the Tangaliya textile.

THE TECHNIQUE Looking at a Tangaliya textile, with hundreds of !ne dots making up motifs, the mind is amazed that the dots are manually created one at a time. Further, the weaver e%ortlessly moves across the warp yarns, creating the dots and elaborate © Babu Muljibhai Rathod Muljibhai © Babu motifs without any paper pattern, graph

50 vesture april-june 2021 Fibres & Weaves © Babu Muljibhai Rathod Muljibhai © Babu paper pattern or any other reference. MOTIFS: TRADITIONAL AND Each dot is made by the weaver CONTEMPORARY instinctively li"ing six warp yarns with the Tangaliya motifs are created by dots, !ngers of one hand and quickly wrapping which may be in the form of outlines or and rolling the yarn tightly around it in the may be closely placed to !ll in forms such required spot with the !ngers of the other as of birds. Given the nature of the dots, hand. #e weaver then breaks the yarn and Tangaliya motifs typically have a linear moves the small bead-like dot along the quality. However, now master weavers like warp yarns to its place. #e weaver then Babubhai skilfully create curvilinear motifs moves on to the next spot, in that row of — like that of a $owing train of a peacock warp yarns, where the next dot is required. — by making dots in very close proximity Once all the dots in a row are completed, and thus creating curved lines. the weaver weaves in we" yarns as required #e traditional motifs of Tangaliya and repeats the process to create more are trees of di%erent species and sizes, dots as per the motif in mind! By the very peacocks, structures of temples and homes, nature of the work, the dots look the same and forms such as circles, squares and on both sides of the cloth. triangles that may be arranged to create Babubhai says that the time taken to compositions. Traditionally, the fabric weave a textile depends on the intricacy was typically black bearing predominantly of the motifs and complexity of the white and/maroon dots, and the yarns for composition, especially at the end panels the warp, we" and dots were of wool hand- of stoles, shawls, dupattas and sarees. He spun from local sheep. says that it typically takes him about 15 days to weave a saree, three days to weave DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS a dupatta, two days to weave a stole and Traditionally, the Tangaliya textile was one day to weave a scarf. Scarves being of 50 inches in width and a little less than a narrow width of 12 inches are generally three metres in length. As it was woven woven on the traditional pit loom, while on the pit loom and had a narrow width other broader textiles are woven on a (that yielded a textile of 25 inches width), frame loom. #e dots created on his it would be woven to little less than six weaves are of an even size and tightness, metres. #is length would then be cut perfect placement and re$ect his innate in half (each half being a little less than skill (that has passed down in his family three metres), and the two lengths would over generations) and his decades of be stitched along one length to obtain weaving at the loom. vesture april-june 2021 51 Fashion Forward

the required width (of 50 inches) of the patterns created by closely set dots of garment. It had borders along both lengths bright colours against a black background and motifs/patterns along these lengths. along the side lengths and probably having © Babu Muljibhai Rathod Muljibhai © Babu Over time, some Tangaliya weaves came a zari border. #e charmaliya Tangaliya has to bear patterns that had speci!c names maroon and black lines across the body and some patterns also conveyed the of the textile and mostly has white dots. identity or status of the wearer. Babubhai It may have a few multi-coloured dots as explains that the zalawadi pattern has a well. big tree with seven peacocks sitting on it at #e dhunslu has a light pattern in white di%erent levels, and it is created with white and maroon on a black background. It was and maroon dots on a black background. traditionally worn by the mother-in-law #e bhadar has a smaller tree with three and the ramraj by the daughter-in-law. #e peacocks and a decorative motif akin to mother-in-law’s mother-in-law also wore a key chain worn at the waist by women, a dhunslu (and charmaliya); however, its created with di%erent coloured dots on a patterning was simpler than the dhunslu black background. #e halari has a simple worn by her daughter-in-law. #us, simply house-like structure with peacocks on it looking at the Tangaliya garment worn by created with di%erent coloured dots on a women of three generations in a family, black background. the onlooker could understand their Over time, certain patterns came to relationship. #e lobadi, like a shawl, is be identi!ed with certain communities. worn over the head and has white dots on Babubhai says, “Traditionally, the a maroon background with white woven Tangaliya textile was woven with black lines on the border. It is worn by the bhua, woollen yarns, in both the warp and the a man entrusted with looking a"er the we", and the dots would be made with rituals at the Meldi Mataji temples. maroon and/or white yarns. #e zalawadi Tangaliya was worn by women of the PRESERVING THE PAST Bharwad community living in northern #e tradition of weaving Tangaliya textiles Saurashtra in the areas bordering the by Dangasia weavers continued over Kutch border. #e bhadar Tangaliya the centuries. Being traditionally woven was worn by women of the Bharwad only in Surendranagar district and being community living near the Bhadar River used only by the Bharwad and Dangasia in Amreli district, Saurashtra. #e halari communities meant that awareness of Tangaliya was worn by women in Jamnagar Tangaliya textiles was restricted. Towards district in western Saurashtra.” the end of the 20th century, with modern Explaining the di%erent patterning of textiles being available in shops, there was Tangaliya cloth, Babubhai says that the a fall in demand for traditional Tangaliya. ramraj Tangaliya has maroon and black “At one time, there were many families lines across the body of the textile, with involved in Tangaliya weaving. However, 52 vesture april-june 2021 Fibres & Weaves © Babu Muljibhai Rathod Muljibhai © Babu

about 15 years ago, there were hardly two weavers le" in our village. We would weave only when we received an order. As the Tangaliya garment and chaniya (lower garment) continued to be an important attire for Bharwad brides, there would be demand for it when there was a wedding or special occasion,” says Babubhai. Babubhai says that thankfully around that time, the timely intervention and assistance of the students of #e result was that Tangaliya weaving the National Institute of Fashion was energised. It received a geographical Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar who indication (GI) tag in 2009, and artisans guided them regarding colour started increasingly showcasing their work combinations, designs and products; at exhibitions. Today, they communicate of Bella Joshi, project head, Saath with buyers on WhatsApp, which helps Livelihood, Ahmedabad, for marketing them get orders that are then dispatched of the products; and CARE India, New by courier. Weavers now weave fabrics in Delhi, who provided a stipend helped a spectrum of colours and also create dots the Tangaliya weavers revitalise the cra". in di%erent colours. #e dots typically #e organisations helped in setting up contrast with the colour of the ground Surendranagar Vankar Samaj (SUVAS), cloth so that they stand out, making the a registered organisation of weavers and motifs appear distinctive. artisans. Younger members of weaving families Tangaliya weavers subsequently started who once looked for occupation elsewhere weaving other apparel such as sarees, are also involved in Tangaliya weaving shawls, stoles and also accessories such as now. Traditionally, only men wove at the cushion covers with Tangaliya motifs. #ey loom; however, Babubhai has taught his started using di%erent yarns (cotton and daughter Anusya weaving, and his son silk for weaving, acrylic wool for the dots) Anand also weaves. As awareness of this and di%erent colours for the ground weave unusual technique spreads, appreciation and the dots, as well as creating di%erent and demand for Tangaliya textiles is on motifs and patterns while being true to the rise. And hearteningly, customers are the technique and ethos of the motifs. On requesting weavers to create traditional request, weavers also weave the ground motifs and patterns on garments so that cloth with Kala cotton, which is the local they have a Tangaliya garment with cotton of Gujarat. authentic, traditional patterns! vesture april-june 2021 53 Trend Talk – International

Monsoon Weddings: Our Style Guide for The Ethereal Bride © Vecton/Shutterstock.com

54 vesture april-june 2021 Trend Talk – india

Planning a wedding is stressful. Add pouring rains to it, and it straightaway adds to the woes of the bride. Keep your worries aside and rely on our style guide that covers everything from lehengas to jewellery and footwear!

Text | Shruti Anand

alking down the aisle in the perfect attire, the embellished silhouette, dazzling jewellery, with the photographerW clicking your most candid and gorgeous shots, is usually the dream of every bride. All you are looking forward to at this moment is the life you’re about to begin; you look at your groom, and he is smiling, waiting for you to stand next to him. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But the pouring rain might be a cause for concern for most brides and event planners alike. Well, keep the dream alive, and don’t let Photography/Freepik.com © SKG the monsoon muhurat deprive you of your picture-perfect wedding. #ere’s plenty gold hues of a silk sari and marigold all you can do to not just celebrate your most around you; even the olive greens for the special day with your loved ones but to mehendi ceremony would dazzle. So, go also make it fun, vibrant and memorable. bold with your colour, and don’t shy away Each function — be it mehendi, sangeet, from opting for hues like rani pink, Tuscan or engagement — can become a lot of yellow, classic shades of red and maroon, fun even in the monsoons. And don’t you neon pink, teal, and pine for your big day. worry about your attire or anything else for Feel free to invest in a satrangi lehenga, that matter. We’ve got some cool tips, tricks much like the one Priyanka Chopra Jonas and wizardry up our sleeves to make your wore at her mehendi ceremony and wowed monsoon wedding as special as you are. the world with. Get playful with traditional So, are you ready to walk down the aisle in as well as light fabrics like leheriya, your most stunning self? bandhani, phulkari, and organza. Colour choices that re$ect your bubbly personality POP OF COLOUR will also re$ect your mood, and if you like to experiment, you can really work this Here’s the best part about the downpour — weather in your favour by opting for neon it creates a blanket of grey against which shades such as fuchsia. vibrant colours will always stand out, making your wedding feel like nothing less than a festival. Be it your wedding attire, EMBRACE NATURE the decor, or the $ower arrangement, each Don’t let the downpour dampen your pop of colour will look gorgeous in this spirits, and instead embrace it in its weather. #ink about the classic red and entirety. Bring out the good old piping hot

vesture april-june 2021 55 Trend Talk – india

chai, pakoras and weather-appropriate food, making the setting informal so that you can sing, dance, laugh and celebrate the string of wedding functions with your family and friends. You can have a farmhouse wedding, where the weather will seem all the more pleasant, and go as far as getting a special bridal mehendi with elements of nature which both of you love. A bonus would be to have folk dances and musical performances by locals and the inclusion of native dishes in your menu to add a rustic touch to your once-in-a- lifetime event. Creating a whole nature ensemble is all the more fun as it is playing around with the decor. You can channel your inner rawness and go for Bohemian prints, and yes, this holds good for your wedding day ensemble as well. Play with tassels for your jewellery and head accessories instead of $oral for the mehendi, to complement your boho look. Go loud with bold colours on a high-low skirt, opt for a layered lehenga, or wear your dupatta like a cape; the quirkier you get, the more you’ll love the exotic and unique elements that you’ve curated for this special occasion.

FLOWER POWER Accentuate your bridal look with a $oral

lehenga and dress like the queen that you © Ninecolours are. We love $ower power at weddings because there is a plethora of choices in work, as well as silver thread work with pearls and beads. bridal lehengas, especially now that $oral No matter which shade you pick, the blossoms on your trousseau is in vogue. You can go for pastel trousseau are going to look fabulous and will go beautifully shades of peach, powder blue, or lilac for in sync with the weather. your look, with a $oral patchwork, a subtle silhouette with ivory embroidery and BE EXPERIMENTAL stonework, or even a silk ensemble with We all know how humid it can get during monsoons, $oral prints. If your wedding ceremony which means sweat and your dress clinging to your body. is indoors, de!nitely go for heavy $oral #e best way to deal with the humidity is to stay breezy embroidery. and look gorgeous at the same time. Plus, there’s a lot If you don't mind a white base, go for of room to play around with your attire. You can go for gold blossoms embroidered on your dress, blouses that are o%-shoulder, backless, or with large pu%s. or opt for red $orets or a gorgeous ivory #ese looks may not be traditional but are de!nitely the in embroidery. #en, of course, there are thing for a modern bride. Brides are nowadays even opting the classy red and pink shades with gold for deep neck blouses for their big day. #ese little choices embroidery, pink $orals with silver thread enhance your attire and bring out your jewellery, and at the

56 vesture april-june 2021 Trend Talk – india

same time, they also make you feel less stu%y and keep you stress-free, especially during the various functions and ceremonies.

STAY BREEZY When it comes to your bridal lehenga, pick breezy fabrics like organic cotton, pure chi%on, and georgette, or if you prefer, chanderi and cotton silk. #e idea of lighter fabrics is not restricted to monsoons, as Indian brides are nowadays doing away with heavy fabrics. Once © Ninecolours © Ninecolours

you pick the right fabric for yourself, there is a lot of room to play around with; think !gure- hugging silhouettes or skirts with a $are so that you can twirl. #e key is to look your best and enjoy the wedding party. For the rains especially, you can pick a lower hemline for your skirt or go for the traditional dhoti. #is way, the event can be organised outdoors, and you won't have to worry about mud or grass stains on your out!t. © Ninecolours © Ninecolours

vesture april-june 2021 57 Trend Talk – india

FEET FIRST Footwear at your wedding should complement your looks as well as be comfortable. Look out for $ats, wedges, slip-ons, and pumps. A traditional attire can be complemented with juttis, mojari, one-toe $ats, or mules that give an ethnic touch. If you’re being quirky with your look, then de!nitely opt for sneakers with some shimmer and glam, and $aunt them with style. We love the idea of shoes, especially in the monsoon as they tend to not slip and are oh so comfortable. Whatever you do, do not experiment with footwear you aren’t used to like stilettos or high heels, especially during the monsoons. You can also look at stylish jelly shoes from local and international brands for a smooth walk down the aisle. © Ninecolours

EASY ON THE BLING While choosing your bridal attire, do pay special attention to the embellishments on it. Intricate silver, diamonds or pearls should look dazzling on you. But tread carefully around zardozi, gota, dabka and the likes, as they tend to blacken due to the humid air and can a%ect your look entirely. It is best to opt for thread work as it doesn’t need a lot of maintenance and will keep your worries at bay. We vouch for silver motifs with peacock shades of teal, turquoise, plum, emerald, and even gold. © Ninecolours

58 vesture april-june 2021 Any Celebrity, Any Occasion, Any Reason, Any Excuse! Get personalised video messages from your favourite celebrities!!

Colin Mochrie Gia Manek Enrique Arce Sana Saeed Tanushree Dutta Kiku Sharda

Recorded Video Message Live VIdeo Call Instagram DM What’s your excuse? Get Flat 50% OFF + ₹500 Voucher on Sign up! BOOK NOW Scan QR Code Visit www.tring.co.in OR Use Code: NC50

vesture april-june 2021 59 #JustTringIt This is an advertisement* Trend Talk – International © Air Images/Shutterstock.com © Air Recycling for The Future Clothing and fabric recycling has become one of the most raging points of concern for the global textile industry. We take a look at how brands are adapting to this dri%.

Text | Anurima Das

lothing recycling involves recovering old clothing and shoes for sorting and processing. Once it’s done, the products are made suitable for reuse. Sometimes it may be a normal clothing or cloth scraps or rags as well as !brous material. Given environmental Cconcerns, the interest towards garment recycling is rapidly on the rise. Brands are becoming conscious about clothing and fabric wastes leading to land!ll. ©Cosmo Films In 2013, H&M became the !rst retailer that o%ered the unused clothes gathering programme in chain stores worldwide. In March 2021, the company restarted this 60 vesture april-june 2021 Trend Talk – International

programme in Russia. Laut Recycling, a centres and shopping malls. Colourful company located in the Ivanovo Region bins are positioned in high-tra(c, high- and dealing with textile items gathering, visibility locations to help maximise sorting and processing, will be the new donations. H&M partner within the scope of the Recently, to drive the recycling e%orts Garment Collection programme. properly in a higher, more organised "H&M Russia launches an updated way, leading retailers have partnered programme for unneeded garments with garment recycling companies such gathering. Now all the stages, from textile as I:CO. I:CO has been able to collect gathering in H&M Group stores to sorting, around 17,000 tonnes of clothing and reuse and recycling, will take place in the shoes in 2015 (or 37 million pounds) while territory of Russia with the participation recycling 40 percent of the clothing or of a local partner — Laut Recycling almost 15 million pounds. Once collected, programme," the company mentioned in a the clothing is classi!ed into three groups: release. reuse, rags, and !bre. Typically, this is a manual sorting process that requires PROCESSES INVOLVED IN expertise in identifying various types of RECYCLING material. #e process can be aided by #e !rst step for any brand or organisation mechanical systems such as conveyor belts engaged in recycling clothes is to raise and bins to segregate various grades of public awareness with information about material. the importance and bene!ts of donating Recyclers have reported that about one used items like clothing and shoes. half of donated garments can be reused. Informative bins and truck signage are Some recyclers bale this clothing for used to indicate and collect the used stu%. export to developing countries, while some Brands adapting to the path of recycling garments are used domestically for sale send these bins to the consumer’s house in thri" shops. Industrial cloth rags and or put them out at their shops or more wipes are another important residual of the such strategic locations to collect the used recycling process. Additionally, clothing and old clothing. Post-consumer clothing may be reduced to !brous material. is picked up generally from bins placed #e fabric for textiles and clothing in public places, as well as from clothing commonly consists of composites of drives and door-to-door collection. Bins synthetic plastics and cotton. In case of are typically placed strategically in public natural textiles, the collected items are places such as parking lots in business sorted in terms of colour and material. ©Pinterest ©Waste360 vesture april-june 2021 61 ©Rajrang ©Camilla Vazzoler/Anekdot

By segregating colours, the need for redyeing can be eliminated, reducing the need for pollutants and energy. #en the clothing is torn into slack !bres and combined with other chosen !bres, based on the end use of the recycled !bre. Once cleaned and spun, the !bres can be compressed for use in mattress production. Textiles are sometimes sent to the home industry and used to produce !lling material for furniture padding, panel linings, loudspeaker cones, and car insulation. #e recycling process works somewhat di%erently for polyester-based materials. In this case, the !rst thing is to remove zippers and buttons and then to cut the clothing into smaller pieces. #ose shredded small fabrics are then granulated and shaped into pellets. Today, brands are not only launching recycling drives, but are also reusing the recycled materials to upcycle and use in newer garment making.

UPCYCLING TO GIVE PURPOSE #e Global Fashion Agenda and Boston Consulting Group estimate that 92 million tonnes of textile waste is created each year. To make up for this, brands are constantly switching to upcycling. #e R Collective is one such reputed sustainable apparel brand based in Hong Kong that rescues textile waste sourced from leading fashion brands, mills, and manufacturers. Recently, the brand partnered with Levi’s to launch a collection of jeans created from old Levi’s inventory and le"over samples. Each item in this collection — christened Denim Reimagined line —

62 vesture april-june 2021 was labelled with a QR code that customers CATCHING UP ON THE could scan with their smartphone to trace the TREND product’s provenance and access sustainable In a similar vein, Beyond Retro’s garment care tips, such as how to reduce Reworked range makes 100 energy usage during washing and drying and percent unique pieces made how to eventually recycle the jeans. from recycled clothing. #e By supporting #e R Collective’s e%orts to upcycled clothing brand reworks scale up recycling, Levi’s lent credibility and brands like Disney, Adidas, visibility to the project. Levi’s has also recently and Nike. #e brand starts launched an exclusive collection platform with its raw material reserve, called SecondHand, a buyback and resale saving 6,00,000 garments from podium to further encourage customers to land!lls. Another brand, Christy Dawn prolong the life of their Levi’s products. in Downtown Los Angeles, sews its Another remarkable brand in the recycling entire range keeping longevity in space is Berlin-based upcycled clothing mind. #e recycled clothing brand and recycled clothing brand Anekdot. #is uses dead-stock fabrics to minimise ©Fiorentino brand makes underwear and lingerie using its environmental footprint. Instead of materials sourced from production le"overs, creating thousands of end of lines, o%-cuts, dead stock, and vintage garments at a time, the trimmings. #e team even hunts down brand sews a limited ©Adidas fabrics from factories that are closing down number of pieces for or make surpluses, production errors or each look, numbering miscalculations. Female makers in Berlin and every dress it makes. Poland make the items. Another reputed brand catching on to the upcycled clothing trend is ASOS. ASOS has been making moves in order to make its clothes more ethical via its ASOS Responsible Edit range. In fact, what started as the Edit range has now gone a step further with its ASOS Reclaimed Vintage line. A fully circular economy or a 100 percent circular brand that operates through a mechanism of recycle and reuse is far from becoming a reality anytime soon. However, the concept of recycling is getting much recognition and getting well-accepted at pockets all across the globe. Indian brands are also fast catching up with this trend and are revolutionising their manufacturing process. Although there is still time for India to adapt the circular economy concept in full view, some homegrown brands today are switching to this recycling movement to embrace more environment-friendly approaches, which signals a promising future for the fashion © Ian Walsh/Shutterstock.com © Ian industry. vesture april-june 2021 63 On the Ramp – International © Svetlanasokolova/Freepik.com

International Fall Trends to Watch Out For

Amp up your wardrobe and get ready to introduce fall fashion in your dressing up plans, with cues from top labels around the world.

Text | Anurima Das

64 vesture april-june 2021 On the Ramp – International

ast year, it was all Being unable to move out of our homes about a virtual life and or say yes to fashionable clothing and it was a time of no- stylish accessories or even get a chance to contact, virtual fashion shop our hearts out, we were all eagerly weeks ruling the ramp. waiting to embrace the !rst signs of We became used to fashion. #at’s when we got to see the celebrating fashion and Prada models walking out, clutching their glamour on-screen. But sequin wraps. Why Prada, we also saw the beauty was no less, Dries Van Noten dance fashionably. #is and we all looked up was just the start and then poured out to the big brands and stark imagery, bold chicness, and a lot of fashion leaders to show storytelling, which helped de!ne 2021’s us some pomp and bring in a breather fashion scene. Here’s a list of the much- duringL the dull months following the talked-about styles and trends to watch out pandemic, wherein almost the whole world for this fall. was under house arrest.

PUFFERS AND OVERCOATS ON POINT Whether you want functionality like the outdoorsy patchwork pu%ers from Chloé or the amazing charm of the warming Miu Miu pastel coveralls, you can choose either and your plans for the fall will be sorted. #e best part about this season’s Chloé collection is that designers like Gabriela Hearst, Marine Serre, and Stuart Vevers at Coach are patching together unused fabric scraps to produce coats, dresses, and upcycled tees. #ese piecemeal garments are not only sustainable, but also stand for a quirky aesthetic that is all about personal expression. Dressing up for oneself and that too in a statement piece is certainly the way people look at the new normal. As for pu%ers, you will certainly not want to miss the nature-matched ones brought to you by Miu Miu. #ese pu%ers are a big hit, and they will urge you to get outside on the slopes. In fact, to establish the outdoor outlook of both Miu Miu and #om Browne, another brand to showcase nature-inspired pu%ers staged its shows on mountaintops, with pu%ers and accessories. #e setting gave a kind of backdrop to the whole concept and made the styles more relevant. Givenchy, Christian Dior, and Chanel also brought out shearlings and Fair Isle knits that made the whole fall look more promising and stylish. ©Fábio Scaletta/Unsplash.com ©Fábio

vesture april-june 2021 65 On the Ramp – International

BUBBLE CLOTHING TRENDING Knitted bodysuits brought out by Givenchy and Courrèges or the blankets and wraps from brands like JW Anderson, Stella Jean, and Jil Sander were the talking point at every fashion discussion. But one trend that has been doing rounds since the early days of the lockdown is the bulbous, bubble-shaped winterwear. #is silhouette has been in fashion last fall also, and so" Romeo Gigli- style cocoons with an emphasis on the hips and thighs have been stealing the show. #ese garment styles spell cosiness and o%er respite from the skin-tight silhouettes that we

commonly see. ©Lena Shekhovtsova/Pexels.com

HOME FASHION ON THE RISE Gone are the days when dressing up for a party was the in thing. Today, monograms have been toned down, with new logo prints at Chanel, Versace, and Balmain. Fashionistas want to return to nostalgia. Glamour is getting relooked at in a di%erent way. Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons are building on their glam looks using sequins and stoles, while Dries Van Noten is bringing back ta%eta volumes. #en comes the catsuit. In the hands of Tom Ford and LaQuan Smith, this garb is getting reinvented and the sexiest and sheerest fall fashion silhouette is thus taking birth. What is worth a mention here is Yuhan Wang, Ottolinger, and Maisie Wilen’s one-pieces, which are artfully patterned and strange. #en comes Erdem’s ballet-style cover-up that is perfect for a WFH week of lounging. Experts are pointing out that onesies are a big fashion trend this year, and it is one trend that will see ample takers both for outdoor dressing as well as indoor fashion. ©Ferdinand Studio/Unsplash.com ©Ferdinand 66 vesture april-june 2021 On the Ramp – International

COMFORT ALL THE WAY #e pandemic has shaped our fashion sense in a very di%erent way and now is the time to make comfort a part of our lives. Comfortable, individualistic silhouettes that adjust to your personality are becoming powerful notions of style. Every collection today presented by a fashion brand is in total disagreement with another. #ere is a di%erent sort of crazy in the air, and more and more brands are embracing this notion of fashion. People who deem dressing up an essential task and do want to look good even in these testing times can choose from an array of grittily glamorous frocks from Simone Rocha, Prada, Paco Rabanne, and Rick Owens. #en there are also the roomy new jeans at Christian Dior and Balenciaga and pleated skirt suits from Molly Goddard, Max Mara, and Calvin Luo. It is not easy to pinpoint and predict the fashion trends for Fall 2021 with perfect ease, as a lot of rebellious personal styles and contexts are getting born, courtesy the COVID-19 ©Godisable Jacob/Pexels.com pandemic.

WEAR THAT QUIRK Nothing remains ordinary anymore and even power suits right now have been transformed into quirky but prim pleated skirt sets. Lovely options have been brought to the front by brands and designers like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Plan C, and Schiaparelli. #e designs they have brought out for Fall 2021 are breezily stylish and well-suited to o(ce life, at home or otherwise. On the other hand, brands like Chopova Lowena, Collina Strada, and Arthur Arbesser have reconstructed bolder looks for fall. Donatella Versace imagined a new kind of logo — an all-over key print — for her Fall 2021 collection, while Givenchy’s sheer separates were stitched with interlocked Gs, and Kim Jones revived an archival FF logo on slips and stockings at Fendi. Millennial nostalgia has reached a high pitch. Blumarine, Conner Ives, Alyx, and Roberto Cavalli brought back a lot of warmth and sweetness using their pastel minidresses. It is also time to accommodate experiments and that too the bolder ones. Jonathan Anderson’s artful throws de!nitely tell you that blankets are in, and why just use it to cover you up when sleeping — you can wear it too. Ponchos and capes had a resurgence at Gabriela Hearst, Alberta Ferretti, and Missoni. Stella Jean has also collaborated with the Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to employ the cra"speople who made her picturesque wraps. Overall, the sense for fall dressing is muted, stylish and bold. #ere is a lot of scope for mix and match and quirkiness, but what’s important is to embrace the change in the air and dress with élan and warmth this fall.

vesture april-june 2021 67 ©Produtora Midtrack/Pexels.com ©Produtora The Organic

24 Mantra Organic by Sresta was born with a vision to make a sustainable living Life for farmers as well as to create a healthy lifestyle for consumers by providing safe, 24 Mantra Organic by Sresta healthy and pure food products. has been a frontrunner in the space of all things organic, and LOOKING BACK the work — started over 17 Raj Seelam, Founder and MD, 24 Mantra years ago — is more relevant Organic by Sresta, started the company today than ever before. in 2004. “A"er graduating from IIM Ahmedabad, I took the traditional Text | Bindu Gopal Rao route by joining an Indian agribusiness All images: 24 Mantra Organic by Sresta by Organic 24 Mantra All images:

conglomerate selling pesticides and © 68 vesture april-june 2021 Health & Well-being

fertilisers. I was shocked at the alarming the next step is to ensure that they are use of chemicals and fertilisers on farms, productively engaged and to educate them impacting the lives and sustainability of the on an ongoing basis. farmers,” says Seelam. “We have 100+ projects across the With the sole motive of supporting country, and we monitor the organic farmers in sustainable farming besides methods of every farm by multiple visits providing healthy food that was void of to every farm every month by our team pesticides and additives, he decided to do members. Each project is in a 15- to something about it. A"er years of research, 20-km radius covering a few hundred to Sresta Natural Bioproducts started in few thousand acres. We do over a million 2004, adopting a farm-to-fork approach. farm visits every year. Sresta continuously Incidentally, the concept of organic food in trains the farmers to build soil fertility and India was then relatively unknown. increase soil microbial population using “Along with like-minded and inspired manure, crop rotation, green manuring, colleagues, we set out on our journey, improving natural balance through but we had to face numerous challenges. natural pest and disease control methods, One of the biggest obstacles we faced in providing good quality seeds and ensuring our initial years was convincing small appropriate water and soil conservation,” groups of farmers on the bene!ts of says Seelam. organic farming. Over many years, we have been able to demonstrate 15 percent FARM TO FORK to 20 percent increase in net income, Over the last few years, there has been a lower !nancial risk, lower production growing demand for safe, healthy food risk and better health of farmers and their bere" of pesticides and chemicals. #e families. We also had to convince retailers pandemic has accelerated this momentum, that organic will sell,” says Seelam. putting the spotlight on safe, healthy and pure food. With 200 products in its FARMER FIRST portfolio, Sresta has adopted the Farm to In these last 16 years, the company has Fork approach right from the beginning explored many categories where they can to maintain organic integrity while also provide a complete organic range with investing time and resources in training, over 200 SKUs and have a loyal customer educating, and sensitising the farmer base of over one million families in India community in organic farming. and another one million families across “Right from the farming stage to the the 50 other countries they export to. In processing of the produce, Sresta monitors these years, they have built a community of 50,000+ farmers across 15 states, cultivating over 2.5 lakh acres of farmland. “Farmers are our foundation on whom rests our organic journey. #erefore, understanding them, setting up processes that protect their interests and encouraging them to be part of the organic movement is something that we have accomplished over the last few years,” says Seelam. #e company’s role is to ensure that organic practices are done systematically and consistently and contribute to their sustainability and improve their standard of living. Having found the right farmer, vesture april-june 2021 69 Health & Well-being

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES In India, the biggest challenge is the lack of a level playing !eld. While there are subsidies for fertilisers, hybrid seeds and everything else, there is no tangible or visible support for the entire organic farming movement by the government. Again, although India represents the largest number of organic food producers in the world, it contributes only 2.59 percent of the total organic cultivable area. One of the biggest challenges in this space is convincing a conventional farmer to shi" to organic farming. “It is important to use science which the organic methods, ensuring farmers supports conservation and sustainability produce 100 percent organic products and on a large scale to improve organic farming the same are brought to our customers. outcomes. We need to invest in them so Based on the batch numbers of packs, we that more and more farmers can adopt can trace back to the farmers who have organic farming pro!tably. Moreover, grown the contents of the pack and thereby we must master the art of growing crops the entire journey from the farm to the that thrive in local weather conditions. kitchen,” says Seelam. It is important to identify crop varieties #e product portfolio, sold under that are resistant to pests, diseases and the brand name of 24 Mantra Organic, adverse conditions and are suitable for comprises 200 products in three broad organic farming. #is will further build categories including cooking essentials like trust among our consumers to rely on local rice, lentils, pulses and spices; packaged organic food,” says Seelam. foods like ready-to-cook products, jam, cashew nuts, almonds and health products ORGANIC INTEGRITY like moringa powder, wheatgrass powder, Sresta follows rigorous practices and $axseeds and the like; and beverages like procedures to ensure that all their methods tea and infusions. — growing, harvesting, storage, grain 70 vesture april-june 2021 Health & Well-being

cleaning, natural fumigation, milling, aseptic processing, dehydration, canning and freezing foods (for the international market) are done without use of any chemicals. To ensure that the products adhere to strict organic standards, the company has evolved a robust !ve-level check system to ensure that the produce is genuinely organic. #is involves social control through group behaviour, regular !eld visits by the team, cross inspections of every farm every season (which is roughly about 80,000 inspections), inspections by certi!cation agencies, and pesticide residue tests.

RESEARCH RULES #e company invests in developing suitable and better organic farming approximately ₹4,000 for their monthly methods by researching and taking up ration, we assure that converting to crop experiments and demonstrations. organic would be an addition of around “At Sresta, we take product R&D seriously ₹1,000 to ₹1,200. Converting to organic because as the pioneers in the organic will not only provide better health but food space, we take it upon us as our would also be creating a sustainable responsibility to be abreast of changing platform for our farmer friends,” says consumer demands and preferences. In the Seelam. Another common myth about last few years, we have developed proven organic foods is that they have a di%erent expertise in understanding what the taste than conventional foods. On the organic food industry needs with regards contrary, organic food tastes better and is to product concepts, processes, quality nutritionally better, too. benchmarks and various product options,” says Seelam. FUTURE PERFECT #e company has been successful in Sensitising and convincing the government servicing several markets across the world policymakers and research institutions with diverse o%erings. “From catering to — both central and state — to invest in clients who want a set and conventional research on organic farming methods and list of products to the ones who want new providing support to farmers wanting to products to be developed, we work with switch to organic production is the need all of them. We have a full-$edged R&D of the hour. Sresta has also worked with team that looks a"er all the necessary governments like Sikkim in converting facets — from idea to certi!cation — as an their entire space into organic. Looking integrated approach,” adds Seelam. ahead, Sresta believes in the sustainable development of both farmers as well as BUSTING MYTHS their customers. “Our plan is to adhere to From a consumer perspective, the primary organic integrity and provide opportunities concern is that they believe organic food to more than a million farmers while is for the elite, which is not the case. “If a serving more than 10 million customers in normal middle-class household spends the next few years,” signs o% Seelam. vesture april-june 2021 71 Hair & Beauty Beat the monsoon ‘tress stress’

!is monsoon, keep your mane healthy and happy and put an end to your hair woes with these easy haircare tips.

Text | Caroline Chorattil Rasal

onsoon is usually regarded scalp can lead to numerous infections, as the season of renewal and which is why it is important to let your hair growth. During monsoons, dry before you comb it. Moreover, letting the prettier, premium version the natural rainwater fall on your scalp is of the earth surfaces, where an excellent way for the hair to replenish M everything looks greener, itself, along with restoring the hair's happier and refreshing and seems to natural colour.” bloom and thrive — except our hair. Vaishakhi Haria, L’Oréal India's While our younger selves may have Ambassador and Founder of Splash #e loved getting caught in the sudden Salon and Mantastic Barbers Bombay, downpour, our older selves !nd themselves notes, “As monsoon has approached, it caged to worrying about the toll the season will take a toll on most people's hair. #e might have on our hair and skin. With most common problems faced during the the rainy season here, most of us have to monsoon are frizz and hair fall. If you get deal with the many hair woes (read: frizz, drenched in the rains or your hair gets dandru%, itchy scalp and hair fall, among partly damp due to drizzles, please let it others) that accompany it. air-dry before you tie it up. Do not tie We spoke to few experts to learn how to damp hair as it weakens the roots and you take care of our crowning glory and enjoy may end up with hair loss.” healthy, shiny and problem-free hair, come rain or sunshine!

GETTING TO THE ROOT OF THE MATTER Firstly, we must understand that our hair, like our skin, changes with the season. As the rains arrive, the temperature drops and humidity rises. Sifat Khurana, Co-founder of Bare Anatomy, a personalised haircare company, tells us, “#e rainy season brings with it humidity and sweat. Moreover, rainwater is loaded with acidic pollutants.” Hence, shares Amrutam's Founding Principal Ashok Gupta, during monsoons when the air is moist and our scalp is more o"en than not damp and itchy, our roots become weak, which in turn leads to breakage and hair fall. #at is why it is necessary to take special care of our hair during the rainy season. He adds, "A wet

72 vesture april-june 2021 © Amrutam Hair & Beauty /Pexels.com Nunes © First Water Solutions Water © First © Jessica © Jessica

Noor Arora, Co-founder, First #e Root 9 series of haircare products Water Solutions, explains further, “It’s by First Water Solutions are packed with commonly said that a bad hair day can nine power-packed botanical ingredients ruin your whole day, and for some of each and are certi!ed organic. #e Root us monsoon is a season full of bad hair 9 hair oil from this range nourishes the days! #ere are four main hair concerns scalp and hair to add elasticity and shine, that plague people during the monsoon: while infusing your roots with a multitude hair fall, breakage, greasiness, and frizz. of antioxidants to make them stronger, Hair fall and greasiness in the monsoon explains Noor. Its lightweight formula are linked, especially if you are prone to does not weigh your hair down, and having an oily scalp. #e humid weather instead gives it volume and bounce! exacerbates this problem by agitating your Ashok sheds light on how Ayurveda scalp, leading it to get dirtier, oilier and can help us with our hair challenges, clogged up faster. Breakage and frizz are saying, "Ayurveda places immense two other very common monsoon woes importance on hair health as it believes that are also interlinked. #is is usually a that our hair and skin are a re$ection problem faced by people with naturally of our internal health. A traditional curly hair, dehydrated hair or very !ne Ayurvedic haircare regimen involves hair.” oiling, massaging, washing, and drying your hair with speci!c steps OILS TO THE RESCUE to be followed at every stage, which Sifat shares a few tips to make your keeps your hair healthy and strong. monsoons bring back the child-like Applying nourishing Ayurvedic recipes delight, without worrying too much like Amrutam's Kuntal Care DIY Hair Spa about your monsoon mane. She observes, or Kuntal Care Hair Oil can be immensely “Oiling your hair is crucial, as it will bene!cial for hair growth and strength.” provide nourishment in an otherwise #e Kuntal Care DIY Hair Spa helps depriving season. Make sure that you do to keep your hair healthy, silky and shiny it gently though, as your hair is already and prevents hair greying, while also frizzy in the monsoon, which may make it calming you down with its relaxing scent. weaker and susceptible to hair fall.” #e light and non-greasy Kuntal Care vesture april-june 2021 73 Hair & Beauty

Hair Oil, too, makes for a haircare essential that you must add to your beauty shelf for strong, healthy, lustrous hair.

THE ‘S’ FACTOR: SHAMPOOS, SERUMS AND SHOWER FILTERS Sifat says, “If you get drenched in the rain, make sure you come home immediately

and wash your hair well with a mild, SLS- 36.5 © Plan and paraben-free shampoo to get rid of the sweat and dirt. #is, however, may lead to excess frizz during monsoons, which can Its aromatic scent also has a soothing easily be tamed (and even styled) with a e%ect, which improves concentration and personalised hair serum. With humidity on relieves stress. Moreover, thanks to its the loose, heat styling may become more moisturising ingredients such as natural common. Make sure that you use a serum glycerine, it moisturises hair and skin. You or argan oil as a protectant to save yourself can purchase this innovative shower !lter from the heat damage.” from Korikart, a one-stop online store for Noor tells us, “#e best way to combat Korean products in India. breakage and frizz is to nourish and hydrate your hair sha" without using MASK ON silicone (it tends to increase the problem Vaishakhi recommends to get a deep in the long run). For this, we suggest conditioning treatment done with your using our Root 9 anti-frizz hair serum. It stylist once a fortnight to maintain the is a combination of nine carefully chosen hydration levels of your hair. She also botanical oils to create a natural seal on advises us to not skip conditioners a"er each hair sha" to contain the moisture in shampooing the hair, especially anti- and protect it from external elements!” frizz conditioners to keep your hair What’s more, the serum is lightweight, well-nourished. Moreover, if your hair is non-sticky, and like the rest of the brand’s sensitised with hair colour or straightening, products, 100 percent natural, vegan and visit your stylist regularly for proper cruelty-free, making it a win-win for you protein treatments to maintain hair texture and Mother Nature. and protect your hair from damage. But You can also give your shower routine considering the lockdown rules and health a daily dose of protection from harmful concerns regarding stepping out even for chemicals such as chlorine with the Plan a hair treatment, Vaishakhi suggests that 36.5 Vitamin Shower Filter, an innovative you can do this yourself at home with the Korean product designed to provide Liss Unlimited Masque or Hair Spa by water in its purest form by removing all L'Oréal Professionnel. the contamination. A compact micro Noor shares, “To counter hair fall and !lter that is 14 times smaller than the greasiness in the monsoon, we o%er a thickness of the hair e%ectively removes sulphate-free, deep cleansing and clarifying impurities from rust, dust, dirt, and sand. detox scalp mask called Earthen Ash. #is A Defense Vitamin Shower Filter is a jet-black !ne powder mask, while a little low-cost medium to ensure good water messy, is a quick and natural way to control quality and excellent skin and hair health. greasiness, remove build-up, unclog follicle

74 vesture april-june 2021 pores, and reduce hair loss. All you have to do is mix a teaspoon with a tiny amount of water and apply it directly to your scalp for 10 minutes before washing your hair, and watch as you have signi!cantly less hair falling out in your shower!” You can also try this clean and organic brand’s Root 9 hair mask from the Root 9 series. #e deep conditioning mask is a combination of nine !nely powdered herbs that help to so"en and smoothen your hair sha" while plumping it with hydration. Grabowska/Pexels.com © Karolina Mont/Pexels.com © Uriel

DIET TWEAKS FOR HAIR HEALTH with one tablespoon of Gulkand on an Dietitian Rajat Jain, renowned for his empty stomach !rst thing in the morning, work as a Weight Loss Expert, Clinical which acts as a wonderful antioxidant and and Sports Nutrition Specialist, and a enhances hair health from within. Amla Certi!ed Diabetes and Wellness Educator, Churna and Gulkand together boost hair informs us, “Many people view healthy- volume and growth and also help combat looking hair as a sign of health or beauty. hair fall, premature greying and other hair #at’s right — just as your skin bene!ts problems. from a healthy diet (like the rest of your body, for that matter), eating well and THE TAKEAWAY getting some key nutrients ensures that During monsoons, the right haircare your hair gets what it needs to promote products, along with a nutritious, growth and prevent breakage and dryness. seasonal diet, serve to help us maintain Likewise, strong, shiny, so" hair is not our luscious locks. Gentle shampoos and only something that makes you look and hydrating, protective oils, conditioners, feel beautiful — it’s also a sign of a well- masks and serums can be our best bets for nourished you. And if you’re looking to boosting cleansing and moisture levels, improve your hair, evaluate your eating while shower !lters help to improve the habits to see what might be lacking; the quality of water and, in turn, our hair. advice of a nutritionist can also help. Make sure to use these #e right intake of some nutrients can products to build on your ensure healthy hair; the most important haircare routine and keep are protein, biotin, iron, Omega-3 fatty your tresses healthy and acids, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, manageable. zinc, vitamin D, and water. Food is the best Sifat concludes, “Keeping source of the vitamins you need for hair these few tips in mind for growth. However, if you fail to get enough the monsoon season might in your diet, supplements may be helpful.” go a long way in saving those Ayurveda recommends against several hundred strands consuming cold and dry foods like that fall, or in preventing yoghurt, arhar dal, fruits, juices and salads your hair from weakening during the night-time, as our digestion is its bond structure due to the slow then and our system requires extra humidity. Using the right e%ort to digest these foods, which in turn products in the right way can lead to hair fall and thinning over is the only extra mile one time. Ashok suggests consuming half a needs to go.”

tablespoon of Amrutam's Amla Churna Barcellos/Pexels.com © Tomaz

vesture april-june 2021 75 Style Spotlight © The Beach© The Company © The Beach© The Company

BaggingThe Monsoon

Style© Vivinkaa © India Circus © India

76 vesture april-june 2021 Style Spotlight

Don’t bring out that stodgy old backpack just yet, for we’ve waved our magic wand and found you the chicest monsoon bags in town. So, get ready to beat the weather and arrive in style.

Text | Shruti Anand

ho does not love looking like a diva, even if it is just a regular workday? But during monsoons, we have to forgo the colourful pumps, adorn the windcheater, and make our umbrella our best friend. It is the time of the year when we resort to pulling up our hair in a bun or ponytail, go for a weather- friendly attire, and carry an old, waterproof backpack that we’ve kept aside W especially for this season. While you might be able to pull o% the hairdo and look stunning in a pencil skirt and a trendy shirt with ru'ed sleeves, you needn’t resort to the old-fashioned backpack. We’ve found the right monsoon-friendly bags that will not only enhance your work ensemble but also safeguard your valuables from the rains.

A SPLASH OF COLOUR Vibrant colours and motifs on a bag stand out in the monsoon, and if it is sturdy enough to hold your everyday essentials, all the better. And this is why this brightly hued du%el bag from India Circus is perfect for you. #e rich rani pink shade, the varied mustard-hued stamp motifs, and wildlife prints all over bring out the best this season has to o%er, and that is nature. #e fabric used to create this gorgeous bag is canvas, and it has durable faux leather straps, making it easy to carry around. A lasting zipper secures the main compartment, and a zipper pouch on the inside

can hold your gadgets for a little more weatherproo!ng and peace of Circus © India mind while commuting.

SUSTAINABILITY MEETS FUNCTIONALITY With an elegant $oral print and enough space to carry all your o(ce essentials, this bag is an all-rounder. Your laptop will !t snugly in its compartment, and there will still be room for your ti(n, your book, and your umbrella. What’s more, your sundry items like keys, phone and pen get their own pockets, so that you don’t spend time fumbling about in your bag and instead get right to work. #is o(ce bag by Zouk is apt for the monsoon as its inner layer protects your valuables from getting wet. A unique mix of khadi and jute on the outside with vegan

© Zouk leather used for the straps and the base, the bag embodies a !nesse that will suit all the stylish ladies out there.

FLORALS RULE Bring out the warm, bright hues amid the drab, grey monsoons with the vibrant embroidery on this gorgeous black bag by Desigual. #e neon hues and the intricate $oral pattern make it outdoorsy, and the chain strap gives it a snazzy appeal. #e design makes the bag look compact, but it has room enough to carry everything you need, right from your books and umbrella to your lunchbox and water bottle. #e natural fabrics ensure that your bag will not wither like $owers © Desigual in the rain and give you a fun reason to step out and head to work. vesture april-june 2021 77 Style Spotlight

FLIRTY STYLES #is experimental tote bag by India Circus will be the talk of the town wherever you go with it. Bold, quirky © Vivinkaa and sassy, the print on this bag is of vibrantly coloured lips pouting, shouting, and smiling, making your monsoons a little cheerier and more CLASSY CARRYALLS playful. But this bag is not just about Bring a pop of colour to the cloudy weather with this good looks. Made using canvas and chic red checked sling bag with a stylish black-and- a polyester lining, it protects your white checked $ap and a claw hook for that added valuables, and there’s plenty you can style quotient. #e faux leather keeps your bag going carry in its wide compartment. It by withstanding the rainy weather, and the polyester also comes with a zipper pocket, two used for the inner lining protects your stu%. #ere’s inner pockets, and a detachable pouch su(cient space for your essentials like a diary and a featuring the same stylish print. We small umbrella. #ere’s also a zipper for safeguarding love carrying the latter for a quick run your phone, and pockets for your lipstick, money, around the block, as would you! and keys. So, get ready to sing and dance in the rain without a care in the world with this reliable and peppy sling bag from Vivinkaa.

TROPICAL VIBES We may not be able to hit the beach anytime soon, what with the pandemic playing spoilsport to all our travel plans. But we may be able to bring the beach vibes to you with this cheery tote bag by Zouk. #e trendy design on this tote is bound to put you in a good mood as you carry it to work on a dull rainy day or for shopping, or even a picnic. #e tote is su(ciently roomy to prop up all your everyday items and has zipper pockets inside and out for your cash and small valuables like keys and phone. © Zouk © India Circus © India

BEACH VIBES Carry the fun, eclectic vibe no matter where you go with a striking print on a simple white tote like the one by #e Beach Company. #ey have cotton canvas totes, perfect for when you’re at the beach or braving the rains, and their Evil Eye Tote, in particular, is cheeky, fun and vibrant. It has durable straps and a single wide compartment that is deep enough to sustain all your daily essentials such as groceries, books, ti(n and an umbrella, along with an additional zipper pocket for your phone, money, and keys. © The Beach© The Company 78 vesture april-june 2021 Style Spotlight

BACK, PACK, GO Can’t stop being a backpack girl? Well, keep the charm going with this super stylish backpack by India Circus. #e cerulean shade blends in beautifully with the monsoon skies, and the tonga print makes it the ultimate desi travel bag. Perfect for the daily commute, the backpack has a collegiate appeal with the space to keep all your essentials safe and secure from the rains. Made of canvas and faux leather straps, the dori fastening on the inside gives

added protection against the weather. Plus, the bag Circus © India has one mobile pocket, an open pocket and a zipper pocket, making it utterly convenient.

VOGUISH AND VERSATILE FRUITY FASHION Raise your style quotient with this A slice of freshness in your closet, this striking black-and-white bag by Desigual. Watermelon Straw Clutch by #e Beach #e raised lettering and details like the Company is cute, fun and appealing. Made prominent tassel on the strap add to the with woven, lined fabric and secured with overall appeal of the bag, giving your a stud button, it keeps your basic essentials ensemble a whole lot of oomph. #e safe from the rain. Perfect for carrying material used for making the bag not only around while running errands or on a protects your things, but also gives it a simple hangout with friends or on a date, leather !nish and lasting sheen. It comes this pretty bag is sure to be a conversation with two pockets inside and out as well as piece. What we love the most about this a mini bag with the same terri!c look and clutch is the use of natural ra(a fabric. So, design. Versatile and functional, this bag along with being weather-friendly, it is also lets you carry everything right from your a friend to the environment. laptop to your lipstick. If looks could kill, this bag would win hands down © Desigual © The Beach© The Company vesture april-june 2021 79 80 vesture april-june 2021