Her labels are defined as eco-friendly luxe and certified organic, but Pooja Gupta says she ensures her cuts are as contemporary and urban as possible. The graduate of National Institute of Fashion Technology, who has her studio in Alipore is working on an upcycling project with Lakmé, but meanwhile, her label Door of Maai has two new collections for her patrons. “I want to keep all my collections as sustainable as possible, and make sure that they are close to nature,” says the designer.
Pooja, who works out of her Alipore-based studio has two new design collections. Her latest one, Print Collection, is inspired by the works of Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian, who is known for incorporating geometric elements in his art. The fabrics used in this collection include handwoven cotton yarn, plain and tulle weave. The designs are fun and flirty and allow for freedom of movement. She has also used Victorian-like details, bell sleeves, colour blocking, floral prints, inspired by the artist.
From her latest collection, one can shop for tops and dresses. “The fabric has been handwoven in the Phulia district, and hand screen-printed in Sreerampore,” says Pooja, adding that both these small towns are famous for these crafts. One can spot a contemporary embroidery setting with beads and sequins which have been developed in-house by employing karigars. That apart, she also has tier dresses — an one-off upcycled Instagram-only product. They are made from old textile collections and saris, mostly thrifted pieces. These dresses also, come with handwoven camisoles that can be paired with the dresses. The designer, who has concentrated on ensembles in monochrome, which could also be worn as workwear, in her previous collection has chosen to work with a heavy dose of colour for her maxis. But the one thing that is characteristic of all her labels is that no matter how chic the cuts, the fabrics are always rooted in indigenous traditions, hence handcrafted by local artisans.
From Rs 3,900 onwards