From Madhuri Dixit to Tabu and Jacqueline Fernandes to Kangana Ranaut, they all swear by couturier Anju Modi’s designs. The critically acclaimed designer, who designed the costumes for the film Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani, is celebrating womanhood with her Spring/Summer’19 collection – Masakali. Modi shares with Indulge her fascination for period costumes, new collaborations and how given a chance she would like design for young talents. Excerpts:
Q) Your Spring Summer’19 collection Masakali celebrates women. Tell us more about it?
Masakali, which means sprouting of a new delicate bud, is the inspiration behind this collection. It celebrates different kinds of women, with different kind of aspirations in different settings. So, Masakali is all about a special tribe of women who truly appreciate meaningful and enduring moments of life. This collection is all about embracing the aesthetic of handcrafted embroideries, nature and homespun clothing. I am a person, who loves nature and peace, thus this collection has beautiful floral inspired embroideries that keep it close to nature even more. The fabrics are all very summery, ranging from Benarasi, chanderi to cotton, linens and khadi with our signature use of floral motifs in all our designs. We have also kept in mind the relaxed silhouettes and languid fabrics with delicate embroideries.
Q) How is Masakali different from your other collections?
Masakali is different because it is more about floral elements and the silhouettes are very flowy and summery. The colour palette is subdued with muted pastels which are pleasing to the eye. This yields immense peace to the viewer, which makes it different from any of our Spring/Summer collection.
Q) What can be an ideal Masakali day wear and evening wear like?
The ideal Masakali day wear would be those simple palazzos that we have done with straight cut suits. And the ideal evening wear would be beautiful sharara skirts with ombre dye and kurtas on top of it with the dupattas.
Q) You have designed for two period dramas. What if you were to design for any other period drama, which one would it be and why?
If I were to design for a period drama, it would be from those old civilizations. Also, I would not like to restrict to Indian culture, rather I would love to explore the textiles, prints, colours and beautiful embroidery patches from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Egyptian culture. These civilizations and art forms are so beautiful that a period drama can be created around it and I would love to work on those lines.
Q) Any fashion tips you would want to give for this season?
The best fashion tip for this beautiful season is, you should wear free garments, flowy silhouettes and be comfortable in your skin.
Q) According to you which actor looks effortlessly graceful in Indian ensembles?
I think Madhuri Dixit looks extremely graceful in Indian attire. I think anything she wears in Indian (aesthetics) comes out so beautifully - it’s just like she is made for it.
Q) Any actor on your wishlist - whom you would want to dress up.
I would love to dress these young girls they are extremely talented and beautiful, like Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Pandey and Kiara Advani. That would be lovely.
Q) What keeps you occupied when you are not designing?
I love listening to soothing music. I love to read and I like to be in my own space. It gives me a better perspective to think and create new designs. My favourite leisure activity is when I spend time reading poetry.