With prints like kalamkari, shibori, ikat, batik and ajrak, 23-year-old Sherlin Firdhose’s collection could very well be a repository of the craft heritage of India. Dabbling with her third collection of the year, the Coimbatore-based designer who has created extensive Indo-Western lines says that her design aesthetics is an intersection of contemporary silhouettes with an ethnic ethos. In an attempt to modernise traditional art forms, the graduate from JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, prefers the use of screen printing techniques and digital prints over traditional hand blocks. “Digital prints allow a large scope of experimentation with patterns,” she explains. Having launched her label, Ahra, in April 2017, the designer recently unveiled her first Autumn/Winter collection.
Easy does it
Working with cotton, the collection features an array of vibrant shades of pastel, pink, ochre and indigo. “The line hinges on the idea of comfort and easy fits, and bright shades fit into the theme perfectly.” A panoply of fluid and structured garments, the line includes shirt dresses, midi dresses, A-line dresses, tunic dresses and crop tops featuring interesting necklines alongside palazzos and skirts. With focus on fit and form, the designer explains that the fabric detailing has been kept to a minimum with most apparel featuring gatherings, pleats and block prints.
Material girl
In addition to her A/W collection, the designer has already started work on her festive line that deals extensively with silks—tussar, raw silk and cotton silk, and predominantly has ethnic silhouettes like lehengas and anarkalis.
“This is the first time I have worked with embellishments like pearls and stonework for a collection. The line should be complete within the next couple of weeks.” shares Sherlin, adding that she tries unveiling a new collection with 25 styles every two months.
A regular at pop-ups in the city, Chennai and Bengaluru, the designer plans on setting up a brick and mortar store in 2018 and will begin accepting bespoke orders and customisation requests over the next few months.
Rs 1,000 onwards. Details: facebook.com/ahraindia/