It could be a flamboyant bowtie, a vivid T-shirt dress with quirky pop art or a vibrant colour blocked ensemble – celebrity stylist Anam Mirza assures us that a slight detour from staple pastels and anti-fit silhouettes are just the thing the city needs this summer. Having roped in a host of designers from across the country, the third edition of Mirza’s touring multi-designer exhibition, Label Bazaar is making its debut in the city this weekend. “We have curated a selection of 45 designers and will be showcasing a plethora of prêt garments to fashion accessories,” says the 23-year-old, who is also the sister of ace tennis player Sania Mirza. With the entire line of designers making their way to the city for the first time, expect to find apparel labels like London-based Kukoon, Dubai-based Masala Chai and D by Deepak Parwani from Mumbai.
On April 15. At Taj Coromandel. Details: 66002827
Nidhi Munim
Showcasing two-piece bikinis and resort wear in fluorescent pinks and oranges, Mumbai-based designer Nidhi Munim’s collection is a welcome distraction from the considerably longer hemlines of other summer collections. Fresh off the runway of India Intimate Fashion Week ’17, the 30-year-old designer is set to introduce the city to her latest hand-dyed batik and Marsala collections featuring Aztec prints. “If you are looking for something a little more conservative, then you should try the sundowner collection, which features georgettes and mul maxis with mesh and braid detailing,” she says. `3,500 onwards.
Mayank Anand & Sharddha Nigam
Inspired by antique French grain sack fabric, Mumbai-designer duo Mayank Anand and Sharddha Nigam have showcased comparable textures with breezy anti-fit silhouettes and sleeveless layered garments in their collection Goh:nii. “Our styling is very minimalistic. That way, the design does not take away from the beauty of the textile,” says Mayank. Having worked extensively with handloomed fabrics, the line on showcase in the city uses kala cotton that is woven at various weaving centres across Tamil Nadu and then styled at Mumbai. In hues of blue, red and pastels find the label’s trademark drapes as bias-cut tunics with an attached scarf and cowl neck lop-sided dresses. Functional and fuss-free, the duo sticks to geometric-shaped motifs, where buttons double up as embellishments. `7,000 onwards.
Ajay Kumar
Bold, vivacious and energetic, there is no missing designer Ajay Kumar or his designs. Marking his debut at LFW in 2015 with his collection titled Paradox of Lotus Sutra and following it up with an ode to Banaras titled Banaras – The Golden Dawn of Time Eternal, this designer’s sensibilities are decidedly avant-garde. With colours like yellow, green betel leaf, red sindoor and motifs as varied as lotus patterns and temple skylines, this label is marked by quirky prints and bright hues.“We don’t entertain any mid-tone colours in our collection,” says the 40-year-old, with a hint of a laugh. In structured silhouettes, you can find long tunic shirts, cowl shirts and cape coats for men, and androgynous jackets and kimono style tunics for women. `5,999 onwards.