Puja Pandey’s debut collection has been out for just a couple of weeks now, and is already taking Bollywood by storm. The Kolkata-based designer’s luxury pret wear line is all about dreamy colour clashes and easy silhouettes. Quite rightly, the summery line-up is titled the Unibow Collection. “It’s an amalgamation of ‘unicorn’ and ‘rainbow’,” says Puja, explaining the title. The Spring/Summer line is inspired by surrealism, and takes off from fantasies; a coming together of imagination and wearability,” she explains, revealing that her creations have been worn by Urvashi Rautela and Neha Kakkar, among other B-town names.
The NIFT graduate has been designing for a while now, and she tells us that she doesn’t just want to sell apparel, but wants people to know her by her aesthetic. “You know how labels like Gucci or Louis Vuitton have been creating designs for decades, and people find resonance with their label’s niche — that’s something I aspire for,” she says. The brand has an interesting focus on urban elements, and is re-defining how we see Western couture. You’ll notice a collage of vivid pleats, industrial twills, colourful heavy textured embroideries, and impressive usage of pop colours. Puja tells us that she wants modern women to give room to their whimsical fantasies.
“Unibow is about dreams, it represents what you want to achieve, or aspire to be. I’ve tried to keep things interesting, with pieces that are one-of-a-kind. You’ll see, we’re making organza bomber jackets with rainbow sequins, spiral-printed blazers, funky bralettes and playsuits; they are numbers you can have fun with. We are also using original art prints to give the numbers a fierce dimension. They are meant to make you more adventurous, and imaginative,” adds the designer.
The fantastical use of colours in her creations is the first thing you’ll notice about the luxe line-up. We’re talking about colour-clashing blazers with sequined stripes, ’70s- inspired Boho embellishments, and a sporty melange of pop colours. Puja tells us that bold hues and detailing are something she wants her clients to take a chance on, to push the sartorial envelope, so to speak.
“I’ve noticed a lot of stylists, fashion bloggers, influencers and designers who found a connect with my pieces; people who have a healthy eagerness to try something fresh and relevant. Millennials always want to experiment, and that’s great. That’s also the crowd I want to cater to, people who are willing to switch up their comfort zone. People in the city are always open to newer options, to sharpen their personal style, especially if they have access to thrifty alternatives,” explains Puja. The label’s pieces might just sort out your summer wardrobe: a bomber jacket or a jumpsuit from the Unibow line can cost you around Rs 15,000, while a solid colour playsuit can cost you about Rs 3,500.