Studio 149 takes the handpainted route with their vibrant new collection, Reminiscing Summer

Launching today, Studio 149’s latest collection features occasion wear with a handpainted touch 
One of the designs by Studio 149
One of the designs by Studio 149

The story of Swathi Purushothaman’s label Studio 149 started with a common necessity, that is, searching for good quality occasion wear. “In the end, I would have to go through the process of sourcing fabrics and finding people to make it for me. This hobby slowly evolved into making clothes for friends and family as well, and before I realised Studio 149 was already up and functioning as a design unit in 2016,” she says, adding that the name was taken from the address of her headquarters in Anna Nagar. 

Since then, the 29-year-old, who hails from Chennai and is currently based out of the UK, has expanded her design team to a five-member strong squad, roped in 22 craftsmen and launched six collections to date, the latest of which, called Reminiscing Summer, is out today. This comes close on the heels of the two other collections that were launched earlier this year — Hush (a fusion of modern and traditional Indian attire) and Kumari (royalty-inspired bridal or occasion wear). “While Hush features muted tones of sage green, grey, and peach, resembling garden fairies, Kumari takes the best of Mughal and Victorian styles and blends them into semi-traditional designs,” she describes.

‘Reminiscing Summer’
‘Reminiscing Summer’

Explaining what Reminiscing Summer is all about, Swathi says, “It is a handpainted series of occasion wear, but in brighter tones and with a very different aesthetic from the previous two collections. It’s more fun and vibrant, with the colours making up for the absence of bling on them,” assuring that it is designed for those who really want to let their hair down and have a good time at occasions rather than being weighed down by their own outfit and jewellery.  

Having recently showcased at a Tamil wedding show in London and at the Fashion Beauty Awards in Liverpool, Swathi intends to challenge herself more by venturing into Western occasion wear. “We may be a five-year-old brand, but social media puts us on the same platform as a 100-year-old label. It’s challenging and intimidating as well, but it gives us an opportunity to match up to our role models, Coco Chanel being my favourite of them all,” she reveals.

Reminiscing Summer from Rs. 25,000 onwards. Details: 4353-1466

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