The fifth edition of the KaMAALGAADi will host labels like Jajaabor, Bhaavya Bhatnagar

Indian fusion, smart casuals, party essentials and even a bit of resort wear — there isn’t an occasion that Shahin Ansari has not prepared for while curating the list of designers for the annual Trunk Show at her store MaalGaadi in Besant Nagar. Currently into its fifth season, KaMAALGAADi 5.0 sees the convergence of 25 brands across the fashion spectrum for two-days, starting today. “Our focus has been on young talent who are offering a varied set of design sensibilities. Experimental silhouettes and quirk are defining factors of this edition,” says Shahin. While there are popular brands like I am Trouble by KC, Ank By Amrit Kaur, Urban Suburban among others, here’s our pick of first-timers.

Fluid dynamics
Bhaavya Bhatnagar finds inspiration in art that is expressed through movement. This has translated into her eponymous brand’s use of fluid lines in a range of ensembles and separates that complement the feminine form and are fuss-free. “The idea for my signature Concept Sari came from the need to find an easier way to drape the sari,” begins the designer, whose jackets, pantsuits, jumpsuits, dresses and skirts have been worn by the likes of Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Disha Patani and P V Sindhu among others. Combining her love for the Indian drape along with a wardrobe staple (pants), the New-Delhi-based designer’s signature ensemble includes a pre-stitched sari drape that can be easily worn with trousers. Bringing her latest collection, What is Real?, to the city, look out for beaded bodysuits, sheer dresses and blazers featuring digital prints, besides the draped garment. Collection starts at Rs 5,000.

The time machine
Jajaabor’s latest collection, The Moving Wall, is a continuation of the label’s Lakmé Fashion Week debut line, The Artful Lodger. While the previous line was inspired by various homestays that designer Kanika Sachdev encountered, The Moving Wall is fashioned after a bucket list of things left undone on her travels. “The central motifs feature silhouettes of rows of houses, hand-drawn maps, hot-air 
balloons and floral patterns — visuals that remind me of my journey,” says the New-Delhi based designer whose collection of bomber jackets, kimono robes, deconstructed kurtas and shift dresses are made by reactive printing on khadi, silk, organza and cotton cambrics. Rs 12,000 onwards.
 

Blue planet
New Delhi-based contemporary ready-to-wear label Aruni takes its inspiration from the founder’s mixed heritage. “As an Indian who was brought up in Thailand, I always wanted to wear Indian clothing. But the traditional, heavily embroidered styles didn’t work for me,” begins Aruni Banditanukul, whose family runs a denim textile business. Deciding to merge her style sensibilities with the Indian aesthetic, Aruni first began by using pleats and drapes on denim to create dresses, jumpsuits and jackets, but soon progressed into designing denim lehengas, shararas and dhoti pants. Look out for her statement jacket with embroidery and mirrorwork and matching denim culottes — a look that was worn by actress Shilpa Shetty. Rs 7,000 onwards.

Glass act
Experimenting with the colour and composition of glass for ornamental purposes, Ahmedabad-based designer Debasmita Ghosh decided to turn her NID graduation project into her jewellery brand Aadikara. Working with glass artisans from the Firozabad cluster in Uttar Pradesh and jewellery smiths from West Bengal, the three-year-old brand creates dainty, light-weight statement handcrafted jewellery that is inspired by nature and landscapes. “Whenever you think of craftspeople in India, you never picture artisans who are working with glass. I believe it is a very underexplored medium, especially when you can create many delicate and intricate pieces of work,” she explains. While the designer picks the jhumkas with meenakari and intricate coloured glass beads from her collections as a must-have, we particularly love the pomegranate and lotus earrings from her latest line. Rs 2,000 onwards.

At MaalGaadi on August 9 and 10.