Taika by Poonam Bhagat

Taika by Poonam Bhagat

Slice of Samarkand & Bite of Bokara

The Summer Spring 2013 collection from Taika by Poonam Bhagat  is inspired by the vivid and enriching world of Central Asian Suzanis specifically from the regions of Samarkand , Bukhara , Tashkent and Shar-i-Sabz .  Suzanis are vibrantly embroidered fabrics which were traditionally handcrafted by Central Asian brides as part of their dowry and were presented to the groom on the wedding day. Often used as a canopy over their heads during the ceremony. It derives its name from the Persian word ‘ Suzan” which means needle.  Popular design motifs include sun and moon disks, tulips, carnations, and irises.

This inspiration led to one cohesive colorful story on the ramp. Swirling , twirling , whirling kaleidoscope of fluid ensembles both contemporary and classic , yet edgy . Short dresses , jumpsuits and long flowing robes are part of the silhouettes. Dramatic reds , blacks , ivories and emeralds dance together in appliquéd and embroidered forms.

The Slice of Samarkand & Bite of Bokara collection is currently in stores and is available at Samsaara (Delhi & Mumbai), AZA  (Delhi & Mumbai), Evoluzione (Delhi & Mumbai), Kimaya (Delhi, Mumbai & Surat). Elan, Elahe, Collage and Ensemble apart from many other locations. 

Hair accessories designed by Yvonne Alexandridou. Paperjewelz by Vrinda Gokhale.

The same theme has been carried forward the costumes exclusively designed for Opera Lafayette’s staged production of Felicien David’s “Lallah Roukh” to be performed at the Kennedy Centre , Washington DC and The Lincoln Centre , New York on 26th  and 31st January 2013.

It is a charming story of Aurangzeb’s daughter on how she sets out on a journey from Delhi to Bactria ( as it was known in the 1800 ) to marry the Prince of Samarkand , but falls in love with a poet while passing through the enchanting valley of Kashmir.

Lallah Roukh was first written as four narrative poems by Thomas Moore in 1817 and later staged in operatic form by Gaspare Spontini (1821) , Felicien David (1862) , Antonio Rubinstein ( 1863) , Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1879).

Taika by Poonam Bhagat

Abstract Expressionistic Art

In the first seven decades of the 20th century , American Art came of age with a native style called Abstract Expressionism, a revolutionary approach that put the U.S. for the very first time in the vanguard of art and New York City at the center of the western art world , a role formerly filled by Paris. It was a genre of Modern Art that used improvised techniques to generate highly abstract forms. This is the seed from which the  Autumn Winter 2010 collection from Taika by Poonam Bhagat took root.

Teal , aubergine , emerald and coffee combined with the quintessential black to form web like graphic patterns laboriously appliquéd on egg white. Hot pinks and burnt oranges flowed seamlessly into wood , as did aqua , on a black tapestry that transformed into cocoons , tulips and sheaths .

Fluid abstract patch worked designs formed the backdrop for rope like mesh of threads entwined in organza , winding their way in a drunken fashion across the board. An electrifying blue burst out of a grid like design defying jersey strips that tried very hard to contain the splash of color . In others , a hot pink remained , quietly but effectively dormant peeping through black jersey lines that criss-crossed on a coffee and milk base like electrical wires on a circuit board. Silks and linens flirted with jersey to create lines that are edgy and dramatic . The look is purely western and playful with exaggerated collars , winged shoulders , asymmetrical necklines , cowls and hoods. Not a single garment is printed or painted.