The Festive mandate

As MaalGaadi’s quirky repertoire goes celebratory, we tell you what to watch out for.

AFTER the success of their Spring-Summer trunk show this July, MaalGaadi is back with its first-ever pre-Diwali show, the KaMaalGaadi Trunk Show. At their store in Besant Nagar, the fashion gala will feature sought-after labels and designers curated by mother-daughter duo Sakina and Shahin Ansar, like Sahil Kochhar and Nappa Dori from New Delhi and Fizzy Goblet from Mumbai, among others. This time around, the creative concept store is joining hands with Becoming I Foundation, an NGO working towards women empowerment, primary education and leadership. Expect to see a fun DIY station by their volunteers where you can walk up and make your own paper art. While there, you can also snack on a healthy ‘soul box’ from Soul Souffle, a city-based nutrition food brand, or try cupcakes and pastries from Sift and Spoon. Here’s a glimpse intowhat to expect. Free entry. September 30 and October 1,from 11 am to 8.30 pm. Details: 42103242

Right on chime
Stars like Katrina Kaif and Karishma Tanna have been spotted wearing Ritika Sachdeva’s eclectic range of boho chic accessories. This oxidised silver bohemian-meets-Indian necklace, complete with embossed paan leaves and crescent design and ghungroo bead accents, goes well with an effortless white on denim outfit. Rs 5,800.

At I am Design, we have tried to reinterpret festive fashion by going for subtle accents and pastels. The collection we’re bringing down has patola and ikat prints, with an understated palette and oodles of grace — Priyanka Jain, co-founder, I am Design

True blue
After making heads turn with her pop-inspired brooches and purses at the recent By Hand, from the Heart’s Maker’s Market, Minakshi Rathi’s Mojo Studio is back with a festival-ready line. We like her azure raw silk clutch complete with French knots and Kashmiri thread work. Pair this hand-embroidered piece with whites to make the zardosi accents stand out. At Rs 9,800.

Shimmer and flow
Babita Malkani’s fall line plays with sheer. Inspired by Gothic architecture, it carries a sombre colour palette of greys, purples and browns. Among the many designs, their sequin-embellished cold-shoulder top is one to watch out for, matched with  grey drop crotch silk georgette trousers. Rs 39,900 for the ensemble.

Pink pageant
Known for their fusion footwear, Fizzy Goblet’s choices for MaalGaadi are must-haves. While their Parrot juttis (with wooden parrots on silk) are popular, the standout piece has to be their Mirror Mirror blush jutti. With hand-embroidered mirror and sequin work, on pastel pink, it comes with double padding and a vegetable tanned leather sole. Rs 3,500.

Chennai is definitely a slightly difficult market to convince. The toughest part is to get people to try something new. But once they are convinced that it looks good, then you are good to go — Shahin Ansari,  co-founder, MaalGaadi

Metal muse
Manifest Design’s statement Sirena cuff—in brass, aluminium and gold/silver plate—draws inspiration from underwater gardens. Each piece is sculpted from clay, processed using ancient sand casting methods, and then used to mould each cuff. With clean lines, this bold wrist accessory promises to keep the attention on you. Rs 3,500.

Take a twirl
Liked Urvashi Rautela’s pastel lehenga at the recent Lakme Fashion Week? Get your hands on the gorgeous outfit—with the ombre-dyed silk patola print skirt and peach-and-mint ikat-inspired blouse—from Priyanka and Pratik Jain, at I am Design. The collection sports subtle hues with an illusion of weaves. At Rs 32,000.

Everyday wearable art has every right to be eccentric. Our collection has contemporary metallic designs that are carefully handcrafted into gorgeous pieces that can complete almost any ensemble — Manreet Deol,  co-founder,Manifest Design

Colour correct
With silhouettes ranging from long tunics, printed jackets and bandhgalas to trousers, patterned shorts and bib shirts, the mandala-inspired Nelumbo line from Bengaluru-based Ajay Kumar redefines quirk for men. The designer, who is making his city debut at MaalGaadi, points to his florogeometric komol patoj (lotus) handloom linen shirt as a highlight. The use of multiple colours and the lotus motif, make it a bright addition to your festive wardrobe. Rs 16,999.

Reworking heritage Indian dressing and putting it in a contemporary mould has been at the core of my label. This line explores the dichotomy in nature—birth and rebirth, dark and light, sexuality and spiritual awakening— similar to a lotus
— Ajay Kumar, designer

Text: Lavanya Lakshminarayanan