A decade since the launch of its clothing line Sustain, Good Earth made its debut at Lakmé Fashion Week 2018 with its first-ever couture collection - The Miniaturist.
Designed by Namrata Rathi, The Miniaturist epitomizes slow fashion and is a collection of 27 ensembles that have been painstakingly hand-crafted, each piece timeless and unique. Every design from this collection emerges from the creative vision of Anita Lal, Founder & Creative Director, Good Earth and the aesthetic direction of Deepshikha Khanna, Head of Apparel line Sustain, which were then translated into the garments by native Jaipur artisans, creating works of art, reminiscent of the wedding wardrobes of almost a century ago.
And yet, each ensemble reflected a contemporary sensibility with its subtle interplay of colour and diaphanous silhouettes. The intricate marriage of art and craft, the rich colour palette imitating jewel hues of amethyst and aquamarine and the use of the finest, luxurious fabrics of Silk Kota, Gajji Silk and Mashru, underlines the brand's homage to the traditional craft of Gota shown at its original level of craftsmanship.
The classic silhouettes of Rajasthan such as the Jama, the Ghagra-Choli, and even the glamorous polo saris, were given a modern spin to provide trendsetting styles for the modern women. The revival of the Patka (sash) and Patua (tassels), hand-cut motifs of Chaand, Anaar and Baadal in 3-D textures, delicate artistry of floral thread work, geometric Jaal patterns, aari & danka work, all came together to complement & accentuate the splendour of this royal tapestry. Pushing the boundaries on Gota and the workmanship, Good Earth also revealed a fresh spin on Gota with a line of Gota accessories such as the Bajubandh, Jhoomar, Borla, ear cuffs, Potlis, etc. to enhance the festive spirit of the ensembles and present Gota in a never-seen-before fashion.
As a befitting presentation for this special collection, Pavitra Rajaram, Lead Designer at Good Earth, converted the brand's flagship store at Raghuvanshi Mills into a Museum style exhibit, to take the audience through an immersive journey into the history of Gota detailing the nuances and process of the creation of their collection – ‘The Miniaturist’. The exhibit was a resplendent showcase of heirloom Gota pieces, intricately embroidered motifs & patterns of the collection, vintage photographs of Royal Gota ensembles along with a documentation of the tools & methods used to create these pieces. This engaging storytelling formed the perfect premise to the tableau style presentation of the garments that followed, where models came alive in diverse intimate settings paired with live songs by Suchismita Das while the audience got a chance to get enthralled viewing the garments up close. An all-senses invoking experience made it a unique show from Good Earth.
Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Lal, Good Earth, said, "Like a master miniaturist creates a world of wonder through the finest delicate strokes of his brush, so has our designer created the most exquisite patterns in minute detail that can best be appreciated when seen up close, just as with miniatures. A priceless tradition, fine Gota work needs to be sustained through sensitive design intervention and presented to a discerning audience, which was our passionate effort through this show. “