TRADITION CUT TO MODERNITY

A city of continuous contrast - Mumbai, displays extremes in every possible sphere. Being the capital of Maharashtra as well as financial and entertainment capital of India, Mumbai is beguiling with contradiction be it five-star luxury hotels standing proudly right next to Asia’s biggest slums, or Mercedes cars battling traffic jams on streets often along cow pulled carts. A multicultural population of 24.5 million people coexisting seamlessly. Yet, among all this variance, the one constant is the city’s history, legacy and spirit. The young city girl living here embodies this contrast, she is modern and values her freedom and is yet rooted in tradition.

 Keeping her profile in mind, I designed a jacket and pant suit where cultural norms aren’t being broken but reinterpreted. Inspired by Mumbai and it’s environment, I went on to fashion a print evoked by a fond memory in the city, which was imprinted in my mind - the sight of fish drying near the sea shore , a common sight on the streets here. Fish forms a part of a very traditional meal in Mumbai. A typical meal is savored, eaten mindfully and slowly on a weekend, overall being a relaxing and enjoyable experience contrary to the daily fast paced life.

Capturing this contrast of tradition that co exists with the high-speed contemporary lifestyle, I used the technologically advanced modern technique of laser cutting to bring this print to life. While the silhouette of the print resembles one of dried fish, its undulating edges of movement is a stylistic element that imitates the sentiment of constant change- an ethos of the city of Mumbai and the people itself. The pants could be used without the jacket to give a more casual look, while when worn with the jacket a more formal, chic modern look could be attained, perfect for a young working girl on a budget often pressed for time.