“My mother has been my eternal muse and inspiration.” Designer Suneet Varma painted a resplendent canvas on the second day of India Couture Week with his collection, ‘Nazm’, which started with a nazm written by his mother and poetess Indira Varma. And the show was exactly as lyrical as the words with which it began.
Celebrating India’s rich decorative art heritage, the acclaimed designer added his contemporary touch to hand-embroidered creations that shimmered on a stage with artistic trees and a resplendent moon in the background. But, much like the maximalist wave that has taken over India, Varma’s collection exuded a vibe that harked back to the time of Old Bollywood, with background score of old but gold tracks to match. “I love old classic Bollywood romance. And that romance wasn’t shy; it was vibrant, loud and seductive,” the designer told us after the show.
In a collection that was bold yet feminine, and ran the gamut – from chic cocktail sarees to bridal lehengas that would steal the day – Varma brought to the crowd his staple appliqué work sourced from the length and breadth of the country. His signature corseted blouses and three-dimensional embroidery worked to elevate luxurious fabrics like tissue organza and chiffons, all timeless silhouettes both feminine and flirty. Pale grey, light celadon green, ice pink, and ivory hues feature prominently in asymmetrical tunics, ‘Farshi’ shararas, and draped sarees.
To complement his artistic subject, Varma got art curator and philanthropist Shalini Passi to walk the ramp in a gorgeous pink ruffled saree and mesh embroidered blouse with heavy applique work. “This collection is a celebration of the modern Indian woman – who is confident, sensual, and unapologetically herself. It is my heartfelt desire that each piece becomes a cherished heirloom, an extension of her unique story and dreams, passed down through generations,” he added.
