Kolkata-based design house Tahweave has introduced their latest collection in the city, Versapalli, which is luxurious without being over the top. Now available at Anahita, Hyderabad, it is an exciting fusion of French architecture with Odia culture. It is more of a case of finding common aesthetics than opposites attracting.
Designer Sweta Tantia, who helms the label, elaborates, “The ensembles are meant to scintillate yet retain ethnic charms to remind you of the 17th Century French architecture with a deft touch of Odia culture. We have brought together the beautiful floral and constructional details from the pillars of French monuments with the most iconic art of ikat that originated from an Odia tribe, Pasapalli.” During our conversation, we later learnt that it was during her travel to Paris a while ago, where she spotted the awe-inspiring gardens, motifs on the pillars and architectural monuments, which inspired the aesthetics for the latest collection. Sweta also wanted to go back to ancient Indian techniques with this collection. When we ask her about the design philosophy, she says, “I wanted to revive the traditional ikat weave in a modern way with a signature touch of Tahweave.” The handwoven yarns she has worked with for the collection include cotton silk, khadi silk and cotton. The hues which she has stuck to are mustard, coral and various shades of blue. “There are different types of drapes, co-ord sets and pintucks which have been used as silhouettes apart from simple brunch dresses and tops by emphasising more on the fabric,” says the designer.
When we ask Shweta about the top picks from her collection, she talks about the Rire dress, Etre jumpsuit and Avril dress. While the Avril dress is a multi-coloured striped pintuck dress, the Etre jumpsuit that we particularly like, is an off-white number complete with printed and embellished hand embroidery.
A tan waist belt enhances the look. That apart, if someone wants casual daywear that is stylish and graceful, their coral Jamdani Pleated Pants, would be ideal when paired with the Aller Top, a Jamdani double layered top with floral motifs.
The fact that all of her creations in this capsule have names, we wonder if she had a few muses in mind while creating the designs. She says that even though she didn’t have a muse on her mind, she created the cuts and the motifs in such a way that could help the clothes maintain a youthful vibe and add some colour to the summer.
Rs 6,000 to Rs 20,000.