A saree is an exquisite attire. Make any woman wear it and she would look more elegant than ever. Ace saree designer Vidhi Singhania is known for her classy sarees and love for the six yard. The Delhi designer recently unveiled her 2020 collection which is a tribute to the city of dreams — Mumbai and is called ‘To Mumbai With Love’. All the things that define Mumbai have been transformed onto the canvas of a saree, making each creation an example of sartorial sophistication. So one would find woven together with her signature dori work, the tinsel town glamour, the serenity of the Queen’s necklace and other aspects of the city that never sleeps.
Singhania is showcasing her collection at the Trident Oberoi Hotel, Nariman Point Mumbai today (January 24). She tells us more about the collection and why saree will always be her number one attire.
To Mumbai with love
Singhania says that she is very attached to the megacity and visits it quite often. “I felt it was time I paid tribute to the city, so I decided to add the ‘Mumbai-element’ to my timeless designs,” she says.
Explaining the colours used in the collection, she points out that along with the subtle colours like peach, light blue, yellows and greens, she has also incorporated some blues, purples, reds and blacks. “The darker shades are for evening wear — more like party or function wear, while the subtle coloured sarees can be incorporated in daily wear,” she says.
There is a heavy use of silvers, golds and whites, and pearl work is a prominent feature in this collection. “When it comes to Mumbai, the climate is usually hot and humid, so I have focused on using lighter fabrics like Kota which are a bit breezy even in summers,” she says.
Singhania has added a Benarasi flavour to her sarees with the use of new motifs such as woven bamboos, rambling roses on satin, paisley butas and embossed designs. Each of these motifs contributes to reviving the old legacies of Varanasi. The collection also features her trademark elements that include mesmerising geometrical jaals, the eternal guthwa flowers and her luxurious molten tissues.
Apart from sarees, her collection includes exquisite blouses, traditional batuas and impressive ensembles.
An important attire
Singhania, who is known for her handwoven luxury labels, points out that a saree is probably the most important element of any woman’s wardrobe. “I love the saree, because it is so fluid,” she says. She explains that a saree can be worn for any occasion, be it a wedding, a meeting or a party and it adds a different character every time it is worn. “This timeless elegance makes the saree an important piece of attire,” she says.
She further adds that she is so fond of the saree that she can wear it all day long and even to bed. A saree has the capability to reflect every mood, she feels. It is something that effortlessly amps up a lady’s style. Even a boardroom meeting attire becomes a fashion statement! That’s why each of her creations sports a contemporary design, with roots going deep into the traditional arts and crafts of India. “Saree is a part of our heirloom culture. My prized possession is my mother’s real zari Benarasi saree that she wore during one of her wedding functions,” she says, adding that for many, these six yards have an emotional weightage and are therefore important.
Changing face of Saree
The saree has been through a massive transition over the past few years, in terms of designs, textures and even draping styles. “I love the fact that more and more women are getting a chance to drape the saree the way they are comfortable in and that is a plus,” she says.
However, no matter how much the stitched saree is comfortable, it is a complete no no for Singhania. She explains that saree is one fabric that defines fluidity. “Drape it the way you want it, accessorise the way you like it, so when it is not stitched, there is no limit on how you can style it. For me personally, a stitched saree is just restricting the saree from being itself,” she says.
