Designer Ikshit Pande puts together three exclusive summer looks from his label QUOD’s debut resort wear collection, Endless Summer

We weren’t chasing a 'look' — it was more of a feel- ing. Long, slow days. Salt in your hair. The kind of mood where you never want to leave the water. There were white lotus vibes, frozen margaritas, stripes and chevrons, and washed-out pastels thrown in. Of course, we kept it very QUOD — clean shapes, sharp cuts, and fluid construction. But with a bit more of the sun. The entire collection is designed to feel effortless, especially the drift kaftan dress. That one came from a really calm day by the sea — those moments where you’re not rushing anywhere, just let- ting the day happen. I wanted the kaftan to feel like that. Super lightweight, something you can just slip on and forget about. But still with structure, it falls in a way that feels thought-through without trying too hard. It’s the kind of piece that moves with you, whether you‘re by the water or out to lunch. Effortless, but still quietly put-together.

All these looks are created with outfits from our resort collection, Endless Summer. It’s our first-ever resort col- lection — and it feels like a natural next step for us. All 16 looks are super breathable, mostly cotton, and made for movement. You’ll find dresses, co-ords, kaf- tans, and some fun overlay pieces. The colours are very summer without being loud — washed aquas, softened stripes, bleached sand, and terracotta blush. It’s all low effort, high impact and those that help you quickly undress and embrace the water. Think ocean-dipped cottons, asymmetric closures, and tailored ease.

Clothes that feel like a second skin. Nothing too done- up. For daytime, light shirts and airy dresses work. For the evenings, cleaner cuts, slightly sharper tailoring, and easy structures are preferred. Comfort is non- negotiable now.

Honestly, some nailed it. You could tell they got the theme without trying too hard. Others felt like they scrambled to put it up together by searching the internet just five minutes before the red carpet. But that’s the fun of the Met, right? The mix of the fashionable crowd. We love the ones who commit but still look like themselves, and not like they’re wearing a concept.

I feel the fact that a superstar like Shah Rukh Khan showed up was enough. The man doesn’t need sequins to steal a moment. Just him, standing there, is enough to create an impact.

We’d love to see someone like Vijay Varma — he’s got that unpredictable energy. He always looks like he’s doing his own thing. And maybe Bhumi Pednekar too — she’s been experimenting in such a cool way lately. She is confident, fashion-forward, but still very much herself—that’s Met energy.

It’s less about buzzwords and more about how things are made. For us, sustainability is about thoughtful sourcing, season-less silhouettes, the environment in which clothes are made, the people who make them, and creating clothes that one wants to wear again and again. It’s not about being perfect, just being better.

There’s more respect for the way designers are working with crafts now, letting the textile or weave lead the design, instead of forcing it into trends. Craft-educated design is what we’re rooting for. That shift feels good.

I am wrapping up the fall-winter capsules, which will again feature a plethora of brand-first drops from us — think looks for festive occasions, partywear, and the most exciting menswear. All this while overthinking new ideas and trying (and failing) to take a holiday.

Expect not one collection, but a bouquet of focused drops around various seasons and occasions. In July, we will see the debut of our heritage line, followed by a festive collection. Right after that comes partywear, with the year ending with the most exciting and long- awaited menswear. It’s a packed year, with something fresh to offer at every step.