Not too many designers can claim to keep reinventing their craft in a way Shriya Bhupal does. For her label Shriya Som, she has taken floral romanticism to a new height and added depth to even the simplest ballerina dress. The graduate of New School of Design, Parsons, New York, has dressed some of the best in show business — remember the recent appearance of Sara Ali Khan in a stunning midnight blue ensemble? It was her creation! Shriya has been a constant in fashion shows and has been pivotal in shaping the sartorial landscape here. “Hyderabadis are aware, not just of the larger trends but also of what works for each of them,” she informs. Over the last year, she also continuously worked towards adding a modern flair to the bridal ensembles. “The modern bride wants to experiment with silhouettes, colour, embroideries and embellishment. We have seen them order multiple option blouses and dupattas so they can take a formal skirt post the wedding to a casual dinner,” says the GVK Reddy scion. Her own wedding made headlines for being one of the glamourous affairs in recent times. Who can forget her pre-wedding celebrations where she looked like a modern princess in a red Giambattista Valli cocktail dress and a tiara?
She recently debuted a new Autumn/Winter 2019 collection at her Banjara Hills-based studio, Sanctuary. What we noticed is how she pushed the boundaries of the quintessential Shriya Som look with new explorations in surface embroideries, 3D motifs, draping and texturing. The skirt and gown variations with Western-style construction make for adventurous outfits for the D-day. The corsetry, fabric manipulation and draping techniques enhance the bold designs she’s come up with.
Also, the showcase that she held for this new collection last month became one of the most memorable runway moments — with Indian shuttler PV Sindhu walking the ramp just after her historic win at the Badminton World Championships in Basel. “To be a world champion at such a young age is nothing short of inspiring,” concludes Shriya.