These Indian designers are championing the ‘less is more’ mantra

Pratishtha Rana

On the heels of COVID-19, bringing the global fashion industry to an abrupt halt, many old and new perspectives on clothing have come into the spotlight. One is to put the craze for fast-fashion and maximalist designs on the back seat and let minimalism take the lead. The State of Fashion 2020 report released by McKinsey & Company and BOF states that luxury consumers are now likely to imbue the mantra of ‘fewer, better things’ in their lifestyles.

The idea of minimalist fashion is simple – fuss-free designs, a mix of somber and peppy colours and clean, trimmed silhouettes that make each piece a versatile, long-term investment. Taking a cue from this aesthetic approach, here are a few Indian luxury fashion labels to look up to for ‘less is more’ inspiration.

Read: Fashion designers should make fewer pieces to sustain in the long run, FDCI’s Sunil Sethi

Buna Studio
Buna’s love for slow fashion, sustainability and minimalism is evident in its designs. This outfit’s free-flowing silhouettes and play of two different tones of blue ensure that monotony doesn’t set in.

Bodice
Bodice is all about chic, modern and functional designs. This combination of a pleated shirt with voluminous sleeves and boxy pants is a big yes for minimal fashion lovers.

Shades of India
Apart from its home decor and accessories, Shades of India leads the fashion front, too. Here, a mix of multiple pastel shades, fine embroidery and crochet work redefines the magic of minimalism for contemporary women.

I was a Sari
Known for its super creative take on fashion, I was a Sari creates trend-setting garbs from old saris and waste fabric stock. Here’s an example that minimal can be bold too! Loose fits and quirky prints lend a fresh take in this genre of clothing.

Suket Dhir
Suket Dhir, known for his artistic take on ensembles, uses handicraft and textile reinventions to weave together the nuances of the Indian culture. And, minimalism is his finishing touch! Sharp tailoring meets sober colours and prints in this He For She campaign.

Source: Instagram

Raw Mango
Raw Mango is a fashion universe of timeless saris, kurtas, stoles, jackets and separates; every piece celebrates Indian weaves. Showcasing the label’s soft, elegant strides towards minimalism, here is a kurta, sharara and odhani ensemble in lightweight chanderi, organza and silk.

Tisa
An emerging modern-Indian label for menswear Tisa celebrates minimalism with an emphasis on handcrafted techniques. In frame here are two outfits perfect for formal and informal settings – one is a dapper play on subtle striped patterns, while the other one is all about quirky, nomadic-esque print.

Read: Mix and match old outfits to create a new look, says designer Ritu Kumar