Go global with Kolkata label Studio Moda's ethically sourced fabrics

If you're looking for a ready-to-wear, sustainable clothing line featuring handmade Western apparel, Devina Salarpuria’s label, Studio Moda, can single-handedly save your summer wardrobe. The Kolkata-based designer uses handcrafted, ethically sourced fabrics to create some edgy contemporary wear. Salarpuria’s brand is geared towards creating distinctive and easy silhouettes for urban women and is also making a way for affordable sustainable clothing. Studio Moda’s lineup has always been about relaxed casuals and breathable semi-formals, in nontoxic fabrics. 

“I don’t wear synthetic materials at all. I’m always on the lookout for pure materials, which are eco-friendly. I never seemed to find anything to my liking in Kolkata, and you can say that snowballed into my very own label. We use 100 per cent cotton for all our numbers, and we focus on using environmentally sound fabrics. I travel quite a bit, and my experiences have become a part of my collections, as each line-up tells a different story altogether,” offers Devina, who’s a NIFT grad, and is also a social activist. Her vision also entails creating jobs for underprivileged women in and around Kolkata — a goal she’s taking very seriously. 

As Studio Moda aims to create a balance between social consciousness and a sustainable fashion aesthetic, it only makes sense that the label also enables women to earn an independent living. “My brand aims at empowering women by employing them as artisans, and this is something I’ve been doing for a while now. The upliftment of women has always been a priority for me, so I try to incorporate that in my work. This way, I can also give back to society. Actually, each of my collections focuses on a skill that can directly empower the artisans. My newest collection, for instance features handcrafted metal rivets on Western wear,” the designer reveals. 

Studio Moda’s Autumn/Winter collection is titled Bling and Barood, and aims to elucidate and re-imagine the distinct culture and regal power associated with the city of Jodhpur. We found some jewel-toned peplums, blouses and ruffled dresses, accessorised with golden blingy rivets, making them ideal amalgamations of the past and the new. Studio Moda’s numbers speak of an edgy sense of cosmopolitanism, owing to the fact that they are heavily inspired by Salarpuria’s travel diaries. The label’s 2019 Spring/Summer collection, for instance, was titled Sprindrift and was inspired by the inky waters and shock-white hamlets of the Greek island of Santorini. 

Needless to say, Studio Moda enjoys a steady millennial clientele, looking for global relevance as well as sustainable options. Studio Moda’s dressy casuals and breezy silhouettes offer a lot of space to young fashionistas to experiment and boost their aesthetic sensibilities. We found some cool peplum blouses with tiered sleeves, midi numbers with asymmetrical hemlines belted festive shirts, and more. “I’ve realised over time that the younger crowd is very conscious about what they are wearing, and it’s no longer about just looking good. Millennials also want to be environmentally sound and they want to be in the know about what are choosing for their wardrobes. My label caters to an age bracket of 15 to 50, and we try to make our design process as ethically conscious as possible. We only use fabrics made in India, and we work relentlessly to minimise waste, so it goes a long way to make a responsible approach,” the designer informs us. 

Starts from Rs 4,000; check out the label’s outlet in New Alipore