SUSTAINABILITY MIGHT HAVE become a trend these days, but very few people can actually make sustainable fashion both vibrant and charming. For Guwahati-based designer Kanchan More Sabharwal, sustainability implies both simplicity and comfort. The dictum ‘less is more’ holds true for each of her collections, whether it was the North East Breeze, which she presented at Lakme Fashion Week 2019, or the more recent Tatva, which is inspired by rain.
While the North East Breeze captured the natural beauty of Assam, through different kinds of drapes, anti-fits and layers, in off white, brown and grey, Tatva represents the manifestation of rain, and the interaction of natural elements that follow.
“The rain falls in layers and envelops the world, leaving behind a host of new sensations— the smell of the earth, the glittering sun peering from behind the clouds, and the glowing colours of flowers in bloom. The rain renews, refreshes and brings all the elements together,” offers Kanchan.
Tatva is of fusion wear, which combines palazzos, loose pants, short jackets, long shrugs, dresses and skirts, which have been styled in sets of twos or threes, to create a layered look. You can also mix-and-match these pieces with a T-shirt or a top that you already have in your wardrobe, and go for a funky, Boho-chic look.
“We have tried to use colours like mint green, brown, sand colour, ochre yellow and others, in fabrics like voile, cotton, cotton satin and silk organza to create a unique look, each with a different name such as Vyom, Neer, Vaas, Mitti and Surya,” she informs.
A sleeveless cotton dress in blue with rayon pants and a striped cotton jacket, called Neer, is the perfect daywear ensemble during sweltering summers, while the tiered mustard voile dress, with 3D embroidery, would suit that picnic outing with friends. The free-flowing outfits come with minimum embellishments and in varied sizes — from small to XXL — and pleated patterns or drapes held together with tie-up detailing.
.jpg?w=640&auto=format%2Ccompress)
“We didn’t want to leave the sleeves very plain, since that might look very odd with the drapes, so we tried to pleat it up at the armhole and at the bottom of the sleeve, with a button, or made it into a puff sleeve,” reveals the student of London College of Fashion.
There are some unconventional pairs too, like a striped cotton pant and jacket in mint green, with a long voile dress called Vyom, and a Chandani dress in steel grey with a violet voile jacket and cotton pants called Varsha. “Inspiration comes to me at random moments, whether I’m travelling or in my office — it’s either the fabric or the colours that inspire me because the mind is never at rest,” quips Kanchan. “But mostly, I deal with a lot of organic and handwoven fabrics, and it is nature and sustainability that keep me going,” she affirms.
Prices start from Rs 14,000.