Budget Bling

There was a time when Gunjan Nagpal contemplated a career in mass communication. Today,as the young designer opened doors to her new studio,Aura in Sector 9,Panchkula,she’s only glad that she stuck to her plan that saw her exploring the world of threads and textures. Having made her designer debut in 2009,Nagpal has been dishing out affordable fashion for seasoned fashionistas in the city. Her designs include smart Indo-western casuals and formals that work for all budgets. Taking that forward,it’s not surprising to see that Nagpal’s new collection has brought in the lehenga-sari,a design,which is versatile and can be flaunted on more than one outing.

“Fashion and trends change with every season and it’s important to invest wisely,” says Nagpal,whose lehenga-saris are designed in such a way that they can be worn like a lehenga and a sari. The panels that make up the sari’s pleats can be stretched out to form a fitted lehenga.

The inspiration for putting together such an outfit,according to Nagpal,have been many brides,who come to her for trousseau wear. “Everyone wants a lehenga as a part of their bridal finery but the outfit,which costs so steep is worn only once and then wrapped away. The lehenga-sari gives two options,” explains the designer,who finds it equally challenging to use affordable fabrics and jazz them up to suit various budgets. “I decided to bring down costs by designing in cotton fabrics,” says Nagpal,whose summer line-up brings suits dressed up with subtle embroidery. We noticed how pop pink and yellow,almost bordering on neon,are part of her collection that also offers both casual as well as formal tunics. As for the prices,one can bag a halter-tunic for Rs 1,500 while a dressy cotton anarkali suit will leave your wallet lighter by Rs 3,500.