The document discusses designer Anupamaa Dayal and her clothing label. It summarizes her recent collaboration with Ekaya to make the traditional Benarasi sari more youthful and versatile. It also mentions that her last spring collection focused on the international market. Dayal aims to liberate women and make them feel happy and comfortable in their own skin. The evolution of her brand is discussed, and she notes her key learnings including drawing inspiration from her Indian heritage and working with Bollywood actresses.

1. Mumbai,
Thursday,November20,2014
epaper.dnaindia.com
after
3
ManishMishra
K
itschy, vibrant prints on contempo-
rary silhouettes is the first visual
that floats on the mind when you
think of her label. The brand is
regularly seen in the 150 stores of the
iconic Anthropologie. Over to the
designer...
Let’stalkaboutAD
XEkaya
collaboration.
I wanted to make the
Benarasi sari more
youthful. Honestly, Be-
narasi is as good as it
gets, it’s close to art. So I
reworked the fabric and
made it very light and sexy,
which is important for women I
address. I wanted to make it subtle, gor-
geous, wearable and not in-your-face. I
wanted to take it out of the shaadi/event
bracket and make it wearable at any place
and time.
Khoobsuratfilmhadalotof
Anupamaa.
I was very happy. It was kitsch to a point
of extreme. In fact, I never thought some-
one like a Kareena would want to wear my
clothes. She’s addicted to colours and a
spirit of freedom now.
Whatareyoursignature
elements?
Colour, craft, a certain ease and
high glam.
Favdesigners.
Vivienne Westwood for
courage, Dries Van
Noten for sensibility
and Sabyasachi for gor-
geous Indian wear.
Youalternate
betweenwearable
printedpretandsexy
bridal.
My last spring show at Wills was purely
aimed at the international market. I sup-
ply to more than 20 countries. For fall, I
think of India, however a lot of my busi-
ness comes from the western world.
WhoistheAnupamaawoman?
She is a woman who’s in search of her
roots but also set free. I want to liberate
women and make them happy. I am not
here to give them a higher status. They
should not worry about size but be happy
with having a wholesome body. More im-
portantly, a belief in herself.
Let’stalkabouttheevolutionof
thebrand—Anupamaa.What
havebeenyourkeylearnings?
A year-and-a-half ago, I would have hesi-
tated to call myself a brand. I owe a lot of
it to my heritage. It’s a privilege to be born
in India. I do have social goals too — the
artisans in my own printing units. I want
to provide as much employment as I can
and take care of the dying crafts. Bolly-
wood is definitely new for me, otherwise
my focus was always international. Now
I’m very comfortable with film actresses
and they are a delight to work with. I have
learnt so much from actors like Tabu and
Vidya Balan. Also, today’s films are so
much more fun and intelligent. Business
wise, I know how to keep it healthy. I’m
very disciplined and consistent. I come to
work early. I have learnt that they can be
better or worse than me but they can’t be
me. I have learnt not to be deterred by
challenges.
manish.mishra@dnaindia.net
ManishMishra
t wasn’t just the current heartthrob Fawad
Khan, who rocked it in Khoobsurat essaying
a dapper prince. From runways to racks,
from sit-down dinners to red carpet events
— bandis are clearly the flavour of the season for the
style-conscious men. Some prefer to wear them with
a pair of denims while others like to take the dressier
Jodhpur breeches route. Accessorised with a pocket
square, this classic seems like the new evening
homme essential.
Redefining the relic
Designer Raghavendra Rathore, who made cus-
tom-made bandis and denims for Fawad in the
film says, “The Jodhpuri sleeveless waistcoat has
recently gained popularity as people rediscover
this relic from our past, it is one of the most
compatible outfits for a lifestyle which is hinged
between the modern and the ancient way of life.
The versatility of this design makes it a popular
choice for almost all occasions on our calendar
and for both formal and informal functions.
Pairing it with a kurta, a shirt and denims or a
longer length waistcoat can be paired open with
the long kurta.”
More suited to our
weather
The bandi is a very versatile garment and it can
instantly dress up your look . Designer Shyamal
of the label Shyamal and Bhumika says, “Look-
ing at the weather in most parts of our country,
the bandi is a very suitable option as opposed to a
coat. They can be worn in many ways — they can
give a formal look for office as well as a festive look
for occasions depending on the colour, fabric and
style.”
Designer Vivek Karunakaran says, “PM Narendra
Modi has been a great ambassador to this style
statement ever since he has been in the news.
So much so that I even had a four- year-old
customer wanting a bandi after being in-
spired by Modi.”
Styling options
galore
“Bandis can be styled with pocket
squares, pocket watches and stoles.
Since bandis are now becoming
very popular, one can have a dis-
tinctly designed piece with velvet
details, tucks, and still look under-
stated,” adds Shyamal.
TheJodhpurisleevelesswaistcoat
seemstobetheultimateparty
pickformen
BANDI
ISTHENEW
COAT
SVA’S TIPS
ON HOW TO ROCK
THE BANDI
Team it with a short kurta and
pants for stylish Indian look.
Team it with a crisp shirt and formal
pants for a formal event.
Team a fun printed bandi with a
shirt and a pair of jeans for a evening
party.
Team it with a simple kurta
pyjama for a pooja festive
look.
Pairingitwith
akurta,ashirt
anddenimsor
alongerlength
waistcoatcan
bepairedopen
withthelong
kurta.
—Raghavendra
Rathore
Leatheris
trending
forSpring
Thefallstapleisnowbecominga
keySS2015essential.Areyouready
toupgradeyourclosetwithit?
‘I want to liberate women’
DesignerAnupamaaDayal
talksabouthernew
collaborationwithEkaya
Moschino
Proenza
Schouler
Balmain ChristopherKane
(Clockwise from top)
Bandi looks from
designers Vivek
Karunakaran, SVA and
Raghavendra Rathore
I