A desi touch, contemporary silhouettes, pastel hues and an edge towards design, all cheered up a lazy, sunny Thursday in the city, with two designers launching their line in different events. While designer Kamala Krish, also an actor, showcased ethnic wear in Jaipur prints and Lucknow chikankari under the label Kamala K, Shardha Dharmaraj launched her pret line of western wear at the newly-opened store Vulture Creek at Rutland Gate, Nungambakkam. Ethnic with a twistIn her assemblage, Kamala puts chikan embroidery at the forefront. Different hues like pastel green, yellow, pink, white and beige, and free-flowing patialas teamed with block-printed kurtas and heavily embroidered saris rule the ramp. It’s her first attempt at holding an exclusive show and working on ethnic silhouettes. “I have designed Indo-western wear so far, which are not short dresses or tight pants. My western line – Orange Harvest – displays trousers, shirts and skirts that can be worn by women of any age. In my ethnic line, Kamala K, the cuts are simple and make you look elegant,” she says.The patialas are imbued with Jaipur prints in completely organic dyes, requiring no artisan embellishment beyond the liberating weave and dark motifs on black. Inspired by Indian craftsmanship, Kamala has infused thread work on linens, silk and cotton. “Chikankari is my favourite type of embroidery and has been used vastly in our countryThis embroidery has been done by a close-knit family of craftsmen in Lucknow.” Her colours are subtle and not too tacky. A designer who chooses tone-on-tone fabrics, Kamala has opted for Jaipur prints only to enhance the entire collection. “Though I prefer pastels, I have included bold Jaipur prints to jazz up my collection,” she says. Kamala’s limited edition of ethnic wear collection – including anarkali suits, tunics, kurtis and chikankari saris — are on display at Eco Café, Chamiers.Style meets powerAt Vulture Creek, it’s a far cry from ethnic silhouettes. The mastermind behind short dresses, razor-cut tops, high-waist trousers and knitted shrugs, designer Shardha Dharmaraj has given her designs an edge. She has been in the fashion industry for over 12 years. Shardha offers vibrant happy clothes, as she calls them, for fashion-conscious PYTs. “The designs look ordinary,” she confesses, but adds that the cut and meticulously-designed detailing make her work stand apart. From bright oranges and fluorescent green to canary yellow and grey, the tones vary in her collection. “This line is meant for modern women who are valiant, dauntless, notable and inimitably stylish,” she says.The designer has used a wide range of fabrics like viscose rayon, voile, yarn-dyed checks, lightweight cotton and chambray. “I’ve incorporated Crochet in shrugs and in collar details,” Shardha says. “Mesh is another fabric that I have introduced in a few dresses, apart from boldprinted knits and cottons,” she adds.Interestingly, the traditional Ikats have been given a western makeover, and accompany floral prints on short tops. Their bling factor has been reduced, with the designer infusing rivets, zippers and graphic prints.
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