“To be a woman...” – This is a sentence that could have innumerable endings yet resonate equivocally with half the world’s population. Being a woman has transcended the mere definition of the word, and it did take us some while. It can very well be about embracing traditional femininity, for another, it could be about becoming a trailblazer in championing her rights. To be a woman is to be yourself and embrace womanhood to define it your way. This International Women’s Day, we’re in awe of our favorite designers who let their work define themselves.
The easiest way to empower women is for them to embrace themselves. A greater degree of self-expression is paramount to asserting this independence in practice. And an invaluable proponent of this remains fashion. Having always been a tool for expressing individuality, fashion has always promoted feminism and its ideals, without exception. Its open-mindedness and fluid nature allow for flexibility that moves past rules and transcends norms. It’s this all-pervasive nature that regards fashion as art.
Fashion for Women Designed By Women in Fashion
On the internet, there are countless compilations of thoughtful ‘men written by women’, ‘men written by men', and so on. But women being muses of women hardly gets its due attention. How Jane Austen wrote her women to live with a sense of sensibility to how she lived, inspired generations. The way Agnes Varda’s films conveyed her sincere feminist ideals through her new-wave cinema. Frida Kahlo’s convention-crumpling self-portraits shaped the way art looked at women and led a movement in the realm by herself. On Indian shores, Lalita Lajmi showcased through her portraits the fierce and assertive post-independence modern woman. And these are only a few names - a vast sea of artists that redefined womanhood deserves the same adulation.
Take Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Channel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Chitose Abe as exemplary women who broke through at an interesting time in history. They exemplified women in fashion when the industry was reigning with male designers in a post-war world. Their pathbreaking works broke the mold and created a stream of opportunities for designers from across the globe. India, too, witnessed its leaps toward fashion.
Indian Fashion's Design Mavens
Over the years, Indian fashion has only grown to become a larger-than-life presence. Global as well as local, we’re seeing an unprecedented democratization of fashion. Women-led fashion brands have grown leaps and bounds over the decades. Some reach elite status and some make inimitable strides. We’re highlighting a handful of women designers old and new, who have made an indelible imprint of Indian fashion.
Masaba
She’s bold, she’s vibrant and she is a rising force within fashion. Masaba’s work exudes a playfulness that is full of vigor, which is often a result of her motivation to keep experimenting. Her take on traditional silhouettes shatters conventions and brings a revolutionary touch to ethnic wear for women.
Ritu Kumar
Relevancy does not escape the name Ritu Kumar. The doyen of Indian fashion started her designer wear line half a century ago, and still, she brings innovativeness to the fore. The grand matriarch has led the change in fashion for the changing Indian woman over the decades. A true gem of Indian fashion, she has been a beacon of hope and admiration for many.
Archana Kocchar
Archana Kocchar has been an acclaimed name in the Indian fashion scene for her unmatched command over traditional bridal wear. Her austere approach towards bringing the best out of traditional designs signifies her best work. The clear lines and body-hugging details capture the mesmeric feminine allure better than most of her contemporaries.
Namrata Joshipura
Defining simplistic bravado, Namrata Joshipura is a unique creative force by herself. Her design aesthetics being second to none, she has mastered creating pieces that transcend the notions of geography as we know it. Being very particular about her fit and astute tailoring, the ace couturier has captured global sensibilities in her creations remarkably for the modern woman.
Payal Singhal
Raised in an environment that involved films, fashion, and art, Payal has always been a forward thinker. She brings this exuberant energy to her creations too, by infusing contemporary style into traditional bridal wear. Her pieces showcase the undeniable priority of comfort over and above anything else, except for style.
Anushree Reddy
Anushree Reddy brings with her a plethora of knowledge, derived mostly from her work with the biggest names of Indian fashion. Her choice of subtle shades and soft fabrics bring alive the traditional techniques employed in her creations. The budding designer reimagines the classics with her flair and brings out the best of them.
Anamika Khanna
When they say, if it is AK – It is OK, they say it for a reason. Being one of the strongest voices in Indian couture, Anamika Khanna has reimagined age-old silhouettes into uncompromising contemporary pieces (a la Dhoti-Pant). Her non-traditional aesthetic has put her on the list of many firsts for Indian fashion. Anamika Khanna has consistently and accurately pushed the boundaries in bringing Western sensibilities to Indian women’s style repertoire.
Arpita Mehta
In a broad crowd of talented designers, it is often a difficult task to carve your identity. It is even harder to adhere to it and build upon it. Arpita Mehta has been successful in not only creating a niche for herself but also being determined to create her own aesthetic. Her signature mirror work and eclectic color palette in captivating silhouettes make her penchant for experimentation known widely.
Read More: CHECK OUT THESE APPEALING COLLECTIONS OF WOMENSWEAR ON WOMEN’S DAY
