Ethnic handspun khadi gets a contemporary reboot with A Humming Way’s S/R collection

With their Summer/Resort line Enchanted Khadi, sister duo Sweta Agrawal and Pallavi Podar have effectively kick-started their formal journey as designers, a passion that they have pursued on the sidelines of their family business in logistics. While their all-khadi line does seem in line with the shift to sustainable that the country’s fashion seems to have taken, the duo says it was the lack of brands dedicated to Indian craftsmanship in the workwear and power dressing segment featuring khadi that spurred the inception of their brand. “It actually is a very versatile textile to work with, which is why it is making an appearance in fusion lines, across many labels. For us at A Humming Way, however, it is not limited to one collection. Khadi will be part of a series of collections and will remain in our design DNA,” says Sweta.

Offering a comprehensive repertoire of fitted jackets, pants, gowns, short dresses and co-ords, the collection, which is available online, is in shades of white —eggshell, cream, ivory and vanilla. While keeping silhouettes focused on day-wear, the year-old brand’s attempt at making the line a complete 9 to 9 collection comes through its extensive use of  Lucknowi Mukaish work, embroidery, pleating and appliqué. “The Mukaish work is not the usual dot pattern. We have used long stitch design in creating our signature motif. Our prime focus is on fabric sculpting and manipulation, there is a lot of tailoring and pleating through the collection.” Look out for their cropped triangle jigsaw cover-up, paired with the long gown which is a prime example of their structural tailoring. 

On styling tips for the Enchanted Khadi collection, the Mumbai-based designer suggests that the wearer keeps things minimal. “The styling has to be minimalistic to keep the essence of the collection intact. A simple look featuring cropped pants with a jacket makes for smart evening wear.” 

Rs 7,000 onwards.