Inspired by lavender gardens and apple grovers, Wills Lifestyle takes us to Kashmir for the launch of their AW collection

From the warmth of the sun, shades of the chinar leaves, lush greenery and varied colours that the season brings, the Kashmir Collection marked the collection as its entry into Autumn Winter 2018.
Wills Lifestyle
Wills Lifestyle

Kashmiri rice fields that resemble a velvety golden expanse; fields of saffron that are on their way to bloom by November; shops stacked with kirdheyi bread, which is eaten with salty tea; and columns of apple groves that have the juiciest apples you’ve ever seen — these are things that you can witness on a two- hour road trip from Srinagar to Pahalgam.  

As you drive into Pahalgam, it’s almost like the little town hasn’t been touched by the maelstrom of civilisation and technology. We are welcomed by the luscious and babbling teal-hued waters of the Lidder river, which originates from the Kolhoi glacier and joins the Jhelum River. And it was under the shade of the chinar leaves whilst sipping on copious amounts of almond kahwah, that one of the top apparel brands Wills Lifestyle launched their new collection — Kashmir. 


Paisleys in Pahalgam
This gave us an opportunity to not just feel the fabrics and understand where the inspiration stemmed from but also sit down for a chat with the design team that flew in from Delhi. From the warmth of the sun, shades of the chinar leaves, lush greenery and varied colours that the season brings, the Kashmir Collection marked the collection as its entry into Autumn Winter 2018. Inspired by the beauty of all things unrushed, the collection of about 30 pieces encapsulates an intelligent sense of design that brings timelessness to the collection and provides a feel of luxury and honesty in the garments created. The collection is sophisticated, and the visual motifs, colours and patterns are an ode to the diverse land and the stories emanating out of it while staying true to the kind of luxury, sophistication and style that one expects from a brand that excels in formal wear.  

ITC, the parent company of Wills Lifestyle, arranged a rather intimate and curated a trial session for us at the WelcomHotel Pine-n-Peak in Pahalgam,  as we went through their clothes and tried them on for the evening. I chose a magenta printed shirt from the line for the evening, and posed for pictures under the mountains while braving the 9 degree September evenings. The night ended with an authentic Kashmiri dance followed by more kahwah and delicacies like Rista and piping hot Goshtaba, accompanied by locally procured cheese. 


Linens and lemons
While kadigars and handloom units are projected extensively, coming down to the the collection itself, it is fairly tame on Kashmiri craftsmanship. But they do showcase some Kashmiri roots through motifs in traditional aari kaari and crewel embroidery (a type of surface embroidery using wool). The collection however scores high on colours that reflect the scenic beauty of the region, with a medley of oceanic teals, violets, lemons and sunset reds. They also have paisleys and a take on the chinar leaf, interspersed with the Kashidakari needlework and patterns drawn from Jamawar shawls. Kashmir comprises separates, dresses, shirts, sweaters, trousers, blazers and suits in fabrics like wool, silk and jacquard blend. An assortment of garments, including trousers, are available in pure fabrics like linen, silk and cotton, and their fine delicate blends as they add to the functional as well as the aesthetic appeal of the garment.Also find  knitwear like coat and blazers in cotton jacquards. As the whirlwind trip came to an end, and I drove away from Pahalgam I couldn’t be more convinced of the rightfully coined moniker that this was truly ‘Paradise on Earth’. 

The writer was at the event by invitation from Wills Lifestyle. 
Available across all ITC Wills Lifestyle exclusive brand outlets. 
From `1,799 to ` 6,999.

Related Stories

No stories found.
Indulgexpress
www.indulgexpress.com