On The Eve Of AIFW, Finale Designer Amit Aggarwal Talks About His Couture Collection
Designer extraordinaire, Amit Aggarwal, debuted in 2008 with his label Morphe. Bringing the Indian audience a new sense of futuristic silhouettes, he then launched his eponymous label Amit Aggarwal.
Celebrated as one of the best shows in 2012 at India Fashion Week, his debut collection is what made news. Also titled as one of the best young designers by various publications, this designer had arrived.
With locally sourced elements that effortlessly tie in contemporary and timeless fashion together, this label is all about sustainability. Seamless by AM.IT was his debut in Mumbai at Lakmé Fashion Week 2017, and he also showcased 27 pieces from his couture collection at Paris Fashion Week 2017.
This time, Amit will be bringing his complete Autumn/Winter ’17 masterpiece to the Amazon India Fashion Week runway that kicks off tomorrow.
Inspired by earthy architecture, this couture line is a reflection of the earth’s topography and the concrete jungle that stands tall within. Sticking to the label’s philosophy, Amit has not only recycled and upcycled through his work, but is also incorporating the environmentally conscious woman.
Showcasing sustainable couture for the first time ever, Amit Aggarwal will be sharing the grand finale stage with mentor and couture designer, Tarun Tahiliani.
Giving us insight into the madness behind fashion week, here’s Amit Aggarwal telling us what to expect from his couture collection.
Give us an insight on what pre-fashion week preparation is like for you. Take us through the process of putting together a collection.
It’s one crazy ride of which the studio is a constant part. The preparations are threefold and the designated teams need to work on assigned tasks in a minimum timeline to bring out one awesome show experience. There is a design team that has been working on a collection for the longest time for the grand finale, keeping in mind the right story to deliver through our clothes.
Simultaneously, the marketing, PR, and social media teams spread awareness about the event and share behind the scenes buzz from the making of the show. There is a music team, as music is an important factor for us — it basically sets the mood and so is worked upon with utmost the love and care.
Then come the styling, the shoes, the hair, the makeup, show décor, the invites, and I’m sure I’m still missing a hundred things. It is a dynamic event, which needs involvement from various people and quarters, to make it a success and, most importantly, to reach out to people.
Tell me about this particular season at AIFW — what is the collection like?
Amit Aggarwal couture AW’17 for Amazon India Fashion Week has utilised the old Patan Patolas and the benarasi brocade sarees, with our signature materials and techniques that have augmented the whole appeal of these vintage pieces.
We have worked on couture pieces that are one-of-a-kind outfits utilising vintage benarasi brocade sarees and zari borders, juxtaposing those with recycled metallic waste to give it the structure and form that is innate to our label.
The core focus of your collection is sustainable couture. Tell us more.
For the very first time, we are showcasing sustainable couture with traditional vintage elements returning as a new entity. It’s the benarasi brocade and Patan Patola sarees, treated with industrial methods like pleating, weaving with recycled metallic strips, etc., that have brought together the metallic sheen of Amit Aggarwal couture with the traditional joy of these handwoven sarees. For me, it sustains not just the textile, but the feeling that is attached to these sarees.
What is the inspiration behind the collection?
The collection takes inspiration from various man-made and natural architectures, and brings them together through different techniques and manipulations.
Can we expect a showstopper this season?
We have designed clothes for a showstopper for sure, so you never know!
What’s it like sharing the finale with mentor Tarun Tahiliani? Does each collection complement each other?
It’s a very new feeling, because he has been a great guide to me. There are many things I have learnt from him and sharing the show with him is a beautiful feeling. I am nervous and excited in equal parts.
As for our collections, we have worked on them as a collaboration, but each has its own character and identity, as fashion couture made in 2 different studios under 2 different design teams. I think it’s an interesting mix of philosophies that will go on to make the finale.
If I had to ask you, what sells best for Amit Aggarwal, what would it be?
What next after Fashion Week? Any upcoming collaborations to look forward to?
Catch the Grand Finale of Amazon India Fashion Week on March 18, 2017.
