The names of Priyanjoli Basu’s designs are as magical as they look. Meet Me In The Rain for instance, is a knee-length black dress fashioned out of textured cotton and features bell sleeves and a rose-hued ikat patch at the round neck. Then, there’s Follow The Wind, an easy breezy calf-length number crafted from dust pink and brown ikat fabric with ruching just below the bust and a ruffled hemline. “I want my designs to reflect the changing sensibilities of today’s women, particularly those who embrace comfort above all else,” says Chennai-based Priyanjoli, who brings her eponymous label to Bengaluru for the first time in four years.
Comfort aside, it’s a sense of whimsy and dreaminess that she brings to the table with her unconventional cuts, quirky detailing and choice of fabrics — all handwoven and sourced from weaving and artisan clusters. “The textiles are produced exclusively for Priyanjoli,” shares the designer, who worked as a stylist in Mumbai, before she attended the London College of Fashion in 2009. The slow fashion label, which uses 100 per cent hand-woven textiles and is made entirely by hand, was launched in 2012. Priyanjoli feels that it is now that handwoven material is being accep-ted as fashionable in the global retail market.
“In the age of mechanisation, it is more important than ever to support the revival of traditional techniques and empower weavers and tailors from forgotten corners of India to find a place on the global fashion map,” she explains.
While the brand doesn’t follow the season-based fashion calendar, the collection that will be brought to the Bengaluru pop-up is a carefully curated selection of dresses, skirts, tops and tunics. “We are trying to aim for easy and adaptable looks that can take us into the new year. The silhouettes are relaxed and I would say, ‘lose the iron.’ These outfits look best a touch unpressed. The idea is to be able to wear these shift dresses in many different ways. You could wear them with T shirts, leggings or style them with a belt or jacket,” offers Priyanjoli, who is currently working on reviving handloom textiles and saris.
Rs.3,800 upwards. Today and tomorrow. At House Of Taamara, Indira Nagar. Details: facebook.com/priyanjoli