In the Internet age it is all too easy for designers to simply search online for design ideas, bypassing the wealth of inspiration to be found in the real world around them. But a select few fashion designers have taken inspiration from places of historical and cultural interest to mirror a different world instead. We quizzed a few of them about their collections...
Babita Malkani feels that it's the living legacy of the place that interests her the most. She says, "Bhutan has a very old culture to it which really intrigued me. I lived there for a week to understand more of their lifestyle and culture which helped me a lot to put together my collection BOH-AUM for the LFW. What inspired me were the beautiful monasteries that I saw there and of course, the architecture. My accessories were all hand-made for which I took inspiration from that. The architecture of Bhutan imparted a serene and at the same time an effervescent feel to my collection."
Lina Tipnis’s latest collection is based on the largest city in Turkey. She says,"Istanbul is like a dream come true...The culture and heritage that comes alive with the enticing blue mosque to the Ottoman history that adorns the walls of the topkapi and dolmabachie palaces. The intense aroma of the spices, sipping rejuvenating fine Turkish cay while watching the swirling darveshes make it a treat for all the senses. With all this and more, it was time to celebrate the beauty of the place through my collection."
Anita Dongre's Spring/Summer collection this year is based on Rajasthan. She says, "Rajasthan has so much to offer; from the way the women walk and dress to the rich architecture. Every corner of the majestic city has some form of art in it which is always an inspiration to me. For me, I want to take the art and culture of places and present them through my collection on a global platform."
Pria Kataaria Puri says, "Places are a combination of many things, from their flora, fauna, natural scenic beauty, architecture and much more. For this year's collection I wanted to do a collection with a royal touch to it. So I've based it on Maharani Gayatri Devi, and also designs on the in-lay work that you find in palaces. I feel palaces are a storehouse of creative designs and detailing.”
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