New Measures

The pre-stitched,structured version is a good way to popularise the sari,says designer Simple Kaur

Till a few years ago,the months of May and June were thought to be dullest in a Chandigarh designers world. With the festive season officially getting flagged off with Diwalaci and then picking up with the wedding season,the summer months actually meant taking it easy. For me,it was a time to take a breather,go on a holiday and plan at ease my collection for autumn-winter, admits designer Simple Kaur,as she sifts through fabric,attends to a client and takes a moment to talk at her studio housed in the bustling Sector 35 market .

Its the middle of a sultry July afternoon and Kaur has a busy schedule ahead. Her spring-summer collection a mix of ensembles in riotous colours that show off her skill with embroideries is fast depleting and Kaurs already working on a special Raksha Bandhan collection. As she issues instructions to her staff regarding an outfit,which is part of a clients trousseau,Kaur says,There is so much happening now. For one,weddings are no longer timed during autumn-winter. I have designed for many summer brides now this season, says Kaur,who was one of the first designers in the city to step out of home professionally,with a studio and label.

Her signature label has now become synonymous with ensembles suits,saris and tunics that reflect a mix of contemporary and traditional styles. Having mostly experimented with the silhouette,Kaurs collection have always boasted of traditional gota-patti and zardozi embroideries that were never too much or too little.

These days its a lot of mix and match of fabrics. Summer is all about georgette,chiffon and lace, says Kaur,as she holds up an outfit that has a heavily embroidered kurta paired with a salwar in brocade and paired with a dupatta with multiple trimmings.

Shes also perhaps the only one who has catered to Christian brides in the city looking for designer gowns. Back then,it was just a few. Today,everyone wants an outfit with a gown-like feel, says the designer,who is working on pre-stitched saris for the coming season. Thats the only way to save the sari from dying a slow death. The pre-stitched,structured saris is a big part of my forthcoming collection as I found the ones I had designed so far were very well received, adds the designer,who finds digital prints as part of the seasons highlights.

There are many varieties now and I have used the fabric to design tunics,kaftans and suits, says Kaur,who is also putting together a collection where one outfit can be worn

in different ways.

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