Meera-Muzaffar Ali blend art with fashion

Through their couture brand 'Kotwara,' designer duo Meera and Muzaffar Ali have revived the traditional craft of Awadh. Muzaffar, who is a renowned filmmaker and painter, has derived inspiration for the collection from his art. Aditi Caroli writes.

Through their couture brand 'Kotwara,' designer duo Meera and Muzaffar Ali have revived the traditional craft of Awadh. Muzaffar, who is a renowned filmmaker and painter, has derived inspiration for the collection from his art.

Meera on her collection
"To get the palette right, Muzaffar did a series of paintings. Then we converted those into silhouettes and fabrics. We have lot of coats and dresses and saris using that technique. Embroidery and zardozi is used in appliqués. Traditional concepts like ikat and chikankari are used. It's a blend of colours and fabrics into layers and silhouettes," Meera told HT.

Muzaffar's art-fashion relation
"Both art and fashion have a deep kind of sensibility. If there is no artistic sensibility, then there is no fashion. The way you look at forms, colours, milieu comes from an artist," the designer told HT.

Tribute to 'Kotwara'
"Kotwara is our label, it's our village. We have ancestral connection with it. Our collection is a tribute to the people who are involved with my craft," said Muzaffar.

Runway report

Crafting practices like zaridozi and chikankari were used in free flow flowing silhouettes. Innovative embroidery and weaving techniques like ikat were incorporated.

Colour palette ranged from black, white, beige, peach to brighter hues like red, orange, pink and blue.

Outfits varied from overcoats, saris, lehengas, ghararas, peshwaaz to shorts, mini dresses, pants, blouses.

Shimmer and sequins was used quite a lot.

Make up was kept minimal and hair was tied in a bun. Models were accessoried with neck pieces and earrings. Heels and flats in back and golden were used.

Music was a little too loud with songs like dum-a-dum mast kalandar in the backdrop.

Highlight of the show was the wedding collection showcased in the end.