Aquarelle collection by The Story Brand celebrates fluidity, grace, and femininity

The Story Brand’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, Aquarelle, brings a refreshing wave of optimism into the fashion world, seamlessly blending Indian heritage crafts with the fluid beauty of watercolour art. As life grows busier, Aquarelle offers a breath of fresh air, where every piece tells a story of hope and elegance. Inspired by the soft, flowing nature of watercolour, this collection celebrates fluidity and grace, capturing the essence of femininity in a modern, effortless style.

“With Aquarelle, we wanted to capture the dreamlike essence of watercolour paintings—fluid, soft, and effortlessly beautiful. Each piece is designed to move with grace and is an ode to modern femininity,” says Mayana Sobti Rajani, founder and creative director of The Story Brand.

The Aquarelle collection is an homage to the delicate fluidity of watercolour art, where colours merge and evolve naturally, creating something both soft and striking. The garments reflect this philosophy through flowing drapes, ombre gradients, and hand-painted effects that bring the watercolour theme to life. As Mayana describes, “Watercolour as an art form is spontaneous and fluid, and we wanted to translate that into wearable form. Every piece embodies a sense of weightlessness, with delicate hues seamlessly merging, much like paint dissolving in water.”

Each garment in the collection exudes a sense of elegance and freedom, with lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, satin, and georgette enhancing the fluidity of the designs. The use of these breathable, delicate fabrics reflects the easy movement and grace that the collection aims to embody.

Hand-painted effects and ombre gradients play a crucial role in realising the watercolour theme. As Mayana notes, “Hand-painted effects are the soul of Aquarelle. They replicate the natural diffusion of watercolour pigments, where colours flow into each other seamlessly. Each piece is unique, much like an artist’s brushstroke, ensuring that every garment tells its own story of lightness and depth.”

Delicate, subtle embroidery further elevates the collection, enhancing its soft elegance without overpowering the designs. The intricate threadwork, tone-on-tone sequins, and bead detailing are inspired by the delicate petals of spring flowers, adding a layer of texture and depth that complements the dreamlike quality of the collection. “The embroidery in Aquarelle is subtle yet intricate—designed to complement, rather than overpower, the watercolour-inspired aesthetic,” says Mayana. The embellishments are placed with precision, ensuring that the designs maintain their fluid, airy quality.

The central message of Aquarelle is one of transformation and fluidity, both in art and in life. As Mayana explains, “At its heart, Aquarelle is an ode to fluidity. It speaks to the beauty of grace and movement, and the power of transformation. Through this collection, we hope to inspire wearers to embrace softness, strength, and spontaneity—to let go, yet stand out.”

Price starts at Rs 7,000. Available online.

—manuvipin@newindianexpress.com

@ManuVipin