A portrait of an earth-friendly dreamland imagined with fantastical prints, textures & mood-boosting colours
What’s true of art is even truer of the planet — the world that surrounds us is one of the greatest works of art there is. However, the gap between the ideal world — green, lush and balanced — and our lived experience has widened, propelling us into an age of divergence. It is this sentiment that catapulted us into the search for a utopian world — a transcendental escape to Aisha Rao’s latest collection.
Beautifully vibrant, powerful, and true to the brand’s eco-minded métier, Rao’s new line-up combines slow, planet-conscious fashion with unrestrained glamour. A range of one-of-a-kind designs that present exquisite lehengas with voluminous skirts, 60s-inspired shift dresses, and ensembles that reinterpret the designer’s signature applique techniques handcrafted with deadstock fabrics by highly-skilled artisans.
Elsewhere in the collection, Rao brings a modern view to age-old silhouettes melding kaleidoscopic prints and patterns with time-tested embroidery techniques like aari work, luminous zardozi, and pitta work. The tactility of macramé and dori work adds a tangible variety to the collection while using fabrics like tissue, organza, exuberant raw silks, along with lightweight and wearable georgette.
The matching and clashing of textures, hues and cuts ushers a dynamic new perspective between the modern-day woman and what she chooses to wear. According to Rao, these choices have become more responsible, conscious while displaying an aptitude for good aesthetics. All the ensembles, thus, lead to a showstopping wardrobe that masters impeccable construction, fit and dexterous details.
However, more than anything, each piece from this showcase presents a seamless blend of a sense of rootedness with a forward-thinking approach for our wardrobes. The result is a remarkable collection that marks a turning point for the tenets of Indian design. As the relationship between the garments and the women who are wearing them is becoming more and more important, Rao’s Autumn-Winter 2022 presentation aims to reflect this significant evolution paving the way for an Elysian world that brings us closer to nature.