Anjul Bhandari, India’s master couturier for chikankari and kamdani techniques, unveils an exclusive collection for Ensemble as a part of its ongoing series to celebrate their 35th Year Milestone.
Anjul Bhandari, who started working with the age-old technique of Chikankari 10 years ago, has had a long-standing love affair with the craft of her land. Coming together with Ensemble, the multi-designer store that evolved the Indian fashion industry, Bhandari curates this collection exclusively for Ensemble as a part of their 35 Year celebrations, where Tina Tahiliani Parikh, CEO will present a year-long series of celebrations of Indian fashion that will feature 12 designers amongst the established as well as new upcoming labels. Each month will bring to us a veritable showcase of unique fashion handwritings from handwoven textiles to uncommon silhouettes & drapes and specialized bespoke prints, all created in collaboration with or especially for Ensemble.
“The custom created collection is an ode to the effervescence of spring and the joy that it brings in, in the form of graceful chikankari designs. As the name suggests, ‘Gulha-e–Rang’ is a word play for ‘a number of colours in the bouquet’. With this collection we wish to transport the light-heartedness and charm of spring onto garments by injecting brighter colours. The craftsmanship is taken up a notch by employing actual Swarovski crystals to really create a sense of exclusivity with this collection. I’m excited to share this collection that not only showcases the craft heritage of this country – kamdani and chikankari, but also celebrates the 35th year milestone of one of India’s most respected multi-designer destinations.” says Anjul Bhandari.
Withdrawing from her signature hues of light pastels used in chikankari work, Bhandari incorporates more iridescence and embellishment in this collection. The designer adds, “we have gone from soft tones of rose pinks and mint greens to more medium tones in the embellishment.”
Gulah-e-Rang brings forth cuts and styles like the jamas, peshwas, lehengas, gararas and sarees, as these are the mainstays of Anjul Bhandari label. Even though it is essentially a traditional brand, this Anjul Bhandari x Ensemble collection introduces modern-age modifications to cater to the millennial brides taking the whole chikankari concept to a slightly more different and younger feel. Expect new-age styles like chikankari pants that are heavily embellished, along with short bustiers and capes.
This exclusive collection introduces traditional kaamdani and chikankari techniques together, which is called ‘chikan bharti with kaamdani’. As part of this exclusive collection showcase at Ensemble, the designer aims to promote and create awareness about the dying art of kaamdani through showcasing the craft live at Ensemble by these skilled artisans.
Tina Tahiliani Parikh, CEO Ensemble tells us, “Celebrating our 35th year is a proud moment for the team at Ensemble. We are kicking it off with a series of exclusive collections which are the result of collaborations between our innovative designers and us. Anjul Bhandari’s work with chikankari is noteworthy and each designer at Ensemble is selected for their finesse in their own aesthetic. As Anjul designs new-age interpretations using the traditional chikankari and kaamdani techniques, she brings an old-world charm to modern silhouettes with ease.”
Anjul Bhandari is a self-taught artist who designed couture for over 10 years before finally launching her eponymous label in 2010. The Lucknow-based designer has had a long-standing love affair with the craft of her land, which explains her inclination to champion it through her designs.“My mother-in-law was a social worker who strived for the upliftment of women in the rural parts of Lucknow. My label is an endeavor to continue her legacy by marrying my love for fashion, art and Chikankari with designs that stand for the spirit of our time and celebrate the labour of love.”
Today, the label that supports almost 2000 women artisans, is an extension of the designer’s inherent sensibilities who has always been lauded for her personal style, artistic decisiveness and love for everything handpicked.
Established in 1987, Ensemble is India’s first multi-brand luxury fashion store with the raison d’etre of Ensemble to discover, support, mentor, and nurture Indian design and craftsmanship. Led by Tina Tahiliani Parikh, Ensemble provides customers with a strong curatorial lens on the best of Indian fashion presented in a modern and aesthetic way, and backed up by genuine and efficient customer service.Ensemble has launched leading Indian designers including Tarun Tahiilani, Amita Aggarwal, Gaurav Gupta and many more. Today, the team continues to explore the Indian subcontinent looking for treasures in contemporary design and fashion.
