To me, the softness of a saree, the fall of a pallu, the dip of a blouse, are all little romantic reminders of everything I grew up with and around. And that’s special because ask my friends and they’ll tell you that romance is my ultimate jam 😋 Cheesy as it sounds, I’m unashamed to admit it is my everlasting fuel to create.
And so I thought, in this blessed moment as any, it’s time I paid homage to my fuel through, you guessed it, the saree! A garment that embodies romance for me (and I truly hope I’ve done justice in these pictures that I’ve shot in the most romantic way I know).
Sarees, in my consciousness, will always be what my Ma wore growing up, every day, effortlessly, and with ease. For her, the garment was a no-brainer uniform for any life event, from the mundane to the special. It was more a state of mind, and somehow, she never failed to look resplendent in it 😍
Maybe that’s why, to me, looking a certain way has always been more about feeling a certain way; it’s hardly ever about how you actually look.
When I wear a saree, I feel my sexiest for some reason…I feel romantic, I feel vulnerable, I feel my most beautiful.
And in that vulnerability, in that saree state, I find the confidence sometimes to express a little more than I usually would. To bloom into my one hundred percent true self and surrender to someone that’s tending to me.
Full disclosure of the soul.
And what is that, if not true romance?
With each round of drape, I’m carried out of my somewhat problematic independence (wip), and I let myself believe that it’s okay to let go of control sometimes, to depend on someone else for a change.
It reminds me of the arm that gently holds my waist or the kurta-clad shoulders I would like to hug and dance with. The fingers that play cards with me on the stairs in the winter sun, and gently move strands off my face while I read a book. The face that jokes in the middle of something serious, and makes me laugh when I’m angry. The hand that doesn’t let go of me at a road crossing and gently takes off my toe rings, and writes me letters I could read again and again.
Ufff…why shun all this romance in the name of independence? It’s been a long, painful road to this realisation, but I’m glad I’m here now 🥹
Also, let’s not forget, Bollywood probably had something to do with it, like for most Indians 🥰 Gorgeous women over the eras, who created our memory bank of iconic saree looks.
Sridevi’s white saree in Chandini will always be testament to what the colour is capable of. Aishwarya Rai in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam falling to the ground in that exquisite green organza, left as much of an impression as that robbery/gunshot scene did. Sushmita power walking into college in Main Hoon Na, draped in a black polka dot number, made all of our hearts skip a beat, men and women alike. Rekha in her signature deep reds, with long, loose, post-shower hair, her iconic maroon lipstick, standing tall and holding her own as the other woman, desired but not wedded to, a bit lonely but always the epitome of grace. And Kareena bringing her confident glow to romance in her Bole Chudiyaan look (even though it wasn't a saree), making peach the colour for all seasons to come, and one that only she carries best.
So here I am, feeling all these feels, and surprising you with the softest launch, without being too much of a tease 😋 I’ve made 5 sarees in 5 colours that I love, each reminding me of growing up in this beautiful country, of films I grew up with, leading ladies I aspired to look like, each picture etched in my mind. This is my homage to them (again, cheesy as that sounds).
I launch them as pieces you can pre-order after having shot them myself like all my products. I was in a fix about the launch date (as one is about these things) but couldn’t contain my excitement when I laid my eyes on them – and wanted to make sure you got them before our festivals!
Organza is my favourite fabric and zardosi my favourite embroidery, so it was only natural I started with the old favourites that I watched Ma wearing, holding on to her aanchal, sleeping in them and playing dress up with them.
Ma, this is as much for you as it is for everything I grew up with. Thank you for making me who I am today ♥️
All of this obviously wouldn't have been possible without my incredible team, my amazing husband who puts as much into Anu Merton as I, Jaspy who totally understands why Mama has been so busy, my favourite male model and friend Sourabh-who helped me recreate the images from my mind, Dewanshi-who is more of a friend and sister... always just a call away and Tara for photographing the romance exactly how I imagined.
