An English Summer

Chandigarh is well-known for its green spaces,not just in the form of public gardens and valleys,but residents here are very garden proud and even the tiniest of patch is tended to with much love.

After dressing up the citys fashionistas for a decade,designer Mona Jawandha tells Simplicity in her first ever interview that she is now exploring menswear

Chandigarh is well-known for its green spaces,not just in the form of public gardens and valleys,but residents here are very garden proud and even the tiniest of patch is tended to with much love. Coming home from boarding school every summer,Mona Jawandha would spend time in her familys garden and thats when her love affair started. Till date,the English Rose,a robust flower with leafy bushes is her favourite,and thats also gone on to become her muse. I love the colours and the way the petals twist and curl, says the designer,who launched her signature label almost a decade back with no formal training in fashion. I still take cuttings of the flower with me to the dyers to get the exact same shade. It always draws curious looks, says Jawandha,looking set for summer in a white linen shirt and trousers to match,paired with a handmade belt with thread-embroidered floral motifs and a string of colourful pom-poms. Her choice of outfit for the day we meet her,complete with the floral print bandana,essays Jawandhas take on design comfortable,contemporary wear with a hint of girly fun.

In line with that philosophy,Jawandha retails through Vanity Box in Chandigarh and Eau in Gurgaon a pret line consisting of well-fitted tunics,shift dresses,kaftan tops alongside Indo-Western salwar kameez that dont weigh down with over the top embroidery or styling. The bridal line is by appointment only.

The tunics,what shes popularly known for among the citys swish set,see Jawandha make full use of floral and animal prints in fabrics such as georgette,chiffon,crepe and cotton. Embellishments like Swarovski diamantes are used liberally but aesthetically. For Spring Summer 2012,my inspiration is Africa but I am keeping away from cliches like leopard spots and ikat weaves. Youll find fringes,feathers and beads, says the designer,who would be sticking to ice-cream hues,powder pastels and sorbet zing.

Though summers yet to knock on the door,Jawandha has explored menswear with a line-up of Nehru jackets in tweed with a European twist this spring. I find designer menswear options very limited in the city. This winter I made these light jackets and teamed them with printed silk scarves used as pocket squares for my father and brother, says Mona. The jackets,available in colours like cream,tan and brown,have got her rave reviews. They have also allowed Jawandha to reserve some space for menswear in her Spring Summer 2012 collection. Formal wear for men in summers can be boring with shirts,trousers and kurtas,but I wanted to do more, says Jawandha. Her imported English linen is already in and Jawandha will have ready linen jackets with soft mul-mul lining in summer-friendly colours by the time the mercury rises. The printed silk scarves was my way of adding colour to the outfit, she says.

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