This collection is an ode to the Mughals and draws inspiration from the luxurious costumes designed by them during their stay in the Indian Sub Continent particularly from the late 17th to early 19th centuries.
Made from the finest silks , velvets , brocades and muslins ( with names like Shabnam , Ab-e-Rawan and Baft Hawa ) how could I not be seduced by the Romance of The Mughals?
‘Yaktahi Jamas ‘ grinned at me ‘sheer fully ‘ while ‘Choghas ‘ made silken advances as they twirled and swirled across my extremely imaginative mind . Transparent ‘dhilja pai-jamas ‘ flapped to the staccato beats of kathak feet as my love affair took wing.
Along came ‘Bast Agags’ in diaphanous chanderis with tight fitted bodices , nipped in waists and flared skirts with hemlines skimming the ankles playfully. Iridescent ivories , corals , yellows , oranges and pinks , embroidered with burnished gold and silver threads , are paired with sheer wide dhiljas. Pristine white voiles gathered or panelled with extensive ‘kalis ‘ contrasting with black , gold , red and bordeaux make for a dramatic summer entree.
Choghas with brocade or embroidered hemlines and scattered floral motifs are open down the front , layered over yaleks or under tunics and dressed up with bias , crinkled or panelled skirts.
Peshwaz or loose jama-like robes , fastened at the front, with ties at the waist , ‘churi’ sleeved and billowy , in gossamer weaves glinting with appliquéd gold tissue , are layered over each other to create the illusion of translucence and opaque.
Digital printed voiles and chanderis edged with pewter , copper and bronze draw their inspirations from Persia and Central Asia to form silhouettes that are voluminous or asymmetrical.
Cows , marigolds , lotuses , poppies and lattice designs lend themselves beautifully to create a collection that is as resplendent as it is understated and elegant.