After collaborations with Gauri Khan for sheer tunics and flowing kaftans in 2015, and a capsule edit of leisure, work and evening wear by designer Nida Mahmood in 2017, Satya Paul has turned to traditional artisans for their Autumn/Winter 2019 collection, ‘Folklure’. It seems like the designer label has joined the hand-crafted, indigenous art bandwagon with this line of hand-painted saris. Launched online and in stores on August 1, the limited edition (30 to 50 numbered pieces each) features folk art like kalamkari and madhubani on pure silk satin fabric.
The Rohu sari from Satya Paul’s Folklure collection
Neeti Singh, design head at Satya Paul, says that the aim was to create wearable art with the “contemporary interpretation of Indian craft”. The brand collaborated with folk artists over the last few months to learn techniques and adapt graphic styles that they have honed over generations. “Focussing on two art forms — madhubani and kalamkari — as the inspiration, the designs have been recreated in the Satya Paul language by blending the folk stories to create striking originals. The artwork was then hand-painted by the in-house design team,” explains Singh.
Pratik Prabhakar, known for his work in mithila (another name for madhubani art), explains the process of working with the brand, saying, “We artisans used the traditional motifs and colour combinations, but the placements of designs and application was tweaked by the design team to create a contemporary look and style within this art.” The results are striking: like the bold fish motif on the Rohu, and the brush detailing on the Krishna. The others largely feature floral patterns that instantly call to mind the folk art form, but are decidedly modern.
At ₹34,995 each, in stores across the country, and on satyapaul.com.
