LEADERS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

Photography by Udita Chaturvedi; kind permission requested. shivan & narresh Two of India’s most renowned fashion designers, Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja, have given the term “fashion” a whole new meaning with their destination sari and mastectomy top… In 2006, shivan & narresh became the first luxury swimwear brand in the world when they launched their handmade, stitch-free beachwear in Cannes. Since then, they have made some significant contributions to the indian fashion industry. The two individuals have introduced a line of saris that “epitomize the brand’s aspirations for swimwear” in an effort to advance the state of the Indian wardrobe. “the bikini sari comes pre-stitched to minimize pleating and has in-built pockets to hold a cell phone or sunscreen,” says the website for a business that specializes in clothing for beach and resort use. Taking this idea to its natural extreme, the destination wedding sari is the ideal garment for an event that takes place away from home. This range explores the sari in the brand’s signature style, which features color blocking, bold strokes, primary hues, vivid neons, and pretty pastels in a play of cheesy silks and flowy italian jerseys for the perfect hassle-free experience at a beach wedding as an alternative to traditional silks and lehengas. Following the tremendous success of this stylish collection aimed at fashion-conscious socialites, the designers have made a significant step in the direction of “social-cause” clothing by creating a mastectomy blouse. The blouse, which has the appearance of any other, comes with an in-built foam-based prosthetic breast and is fashioned and constructed around the distinctive indian body form to offer the correct fit to the ladies of the nation, who up until now have been wearing apparel tailored to meet western body measurements. Lycra was chosen for its “versatility to adapt to varied sizes” and because it is “technologically updated to allow for greater ventilation.” The two designers chose to work with lycra for these reasons. The mastectomy blouse is a helpful tool for restoring self-esteem in women who have had breast removal surgery and are coping with the psychological and social fallout of their experience. As a result of the death of his father from cancer, Narresh came to understand the significance of “living with self-esteem,” and as a result, he established the basis for the mastectomy blouse. These blouses, which have a price tag of rs. 2,000 each, have been in high demand for both personal usage and charitable contributions. Actress and cancer survivor manisha koirala has shown her support for this cause by endorsing the project. The designs created by Shivan & Narresh reflect audacity, self-assurance, and refinement. The designers place a strong emphasis on color, cut, and comfort. And with the recent breakthrough in both the luxurious and merely pragmatic wardrobe basics, the designers appeared to have hit a raw chord that is in perfect harmony with the mind of the modern day lady. a resounding yes from our end!! Please visit inditerrain.indiaartndesign.com in order to see the photographs.