The run-up to a new season of fashion week is always an exciting one. For designer Rimzim Dadu, the forthcoming Spring/Summer 2020 edition of Lotus Make-Up India Fashion Week, to be held in Delhi from October 9 to 13, will be special for more reasons than one. Known for working with innovative textiles, which include signature steel metal yarns, she is all set to showcase her first menswear collection. “I wanted to explore the idea of movement by creating different textures from the materials we normally use. I found menswear to be a perfect fit,” she says.
Inspired by waves in the ocean and the ripple effect on water, the collection will showcase structured silhouettes that are also fluid. “It takes my signature metallic look further. I have also used cord, faux leather and metallic foil printing in different ways to create movement,” she explains. Having had a successful run with steel saris and structured tops and tunics, Dadu will be showcasing formal, bomber and Nehru jackets, as well as shirts.
Rimzim Dadu
Beyond the iconic
The designer will also present her take on festive wear, which will be “in sync with [my] aesthetic”. So you will see long skirts, and even her version of a lehenga , says the 32-year-old, who is set to showcase on the opening day. Starting with garments in white, the collection will include gunmetal, bronze and copper, graduating to rich jewel tones like gold, teal and emerald.
“While [molten steel wires] have become my signature, I am always experimenting to create new textiles. The fluidity in the garments in my latest collection is the result of refining our existing techniques,” explains Dadu, who does not like to outsource fabrics for her work. In addition, she will be presenting the second edition of her accessories line, which includes bags and shoes.
Tech savvy
Just as she is a front-runner in textile innovation, she has also used technology — from virtual reality to 3D immersive experiences — to present her stories on the runway. This time around though, she is not doing anything “super special”. “Instead, I would be taking forward the idea of movement in a unique way. I don’t want to give the surprise away,” she quips. At a time when social media has become a virtual ramp for designer launches, Dadu admits she still enjoys the traditional format of a runway show. But she adds, “Social media is quite democratic as it gives an equal platform to every brand.”
As someone who strongly believes that handwoven textile can be futuristic, she is thrilled to see the popularity her metal wire saris have got. “I started my label more than 10 years ago, but it is the sari, which I introduced a few years ago, that put me in the spotlight. Back then I had thought it would only appeal to younger clients, but today, I find not just sari purists, but even 70-year-old women wearing them. It is really gratifying,” says Dadu who considers actor Sonam Kapoor as the perfect fit to her aesthetic. “She was the first to sport the sari. That moment will always be special,” she concludes.
