On Thursday night, Vaishali Shadangule created history by becoming the first Indian female designer that has been invited by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode to present at Paris Haute Couture Week 2021. Showcased at Lycée Victor Duruy, a high school on the left bank in Paris, the collection titled Shwas marked the label’s presence amongst the best in the world of fashion.
Vaishali S. Paris Haute Couture Week Winter 2021 Collection
Marrying the traditional weaves of India with complexly constructed modern silhouettes, Vaishali’s debut line was influenced by nature and its flow of energy. The silhouettes shown on the runway effortlessly imbibed the textures of the environment in the form of lines and curves that follow the organic design of foliage. 30 meticulously crafted ensembles dominated the catwalk, parading the plethora of textiles utilised from the various states in the country. Right from the Merino wool woven in Maheshwar and Khun from Karnataka to indigenous weaves from different parts of West Bengal, it was an ode to India’s indigenous heritage.
Vaishali S. Paris Haute Couture Week Winter 2021 Collection
“As an Indian woman showcasing at the pinnacle of global couture, this is a significant milestone. India has a strong design language in terms of craftsmanship combined with social impact, a richness of technique beyond embroidery or plain manufacturing. The idea was to put the Indian weave on the highest platform, in its purest form,” shared Vaishali.
Designer Vaishali S.
The barks of trees and the coral reef were used on the garments in Vaishali’s signature techniques such as cording, engineered deconstruction and texturing. Starting from off-whites leading to mustard and browns, the colour palette further ranged into marsala, violet, black and teal. Bringing her wearable art to life, the designer managed to exhibit Indian weaves at an international stage by repackaging its appearance in an avant-garde way.
All this, while continuing her commitment to sustainability, Vaishali remained dedicated to zero water and circularity with tangible social impact across several states in the country. The designer also collaborated with Forevermark, to complement her collection with their responsibly sourced diamonds.
Vaishali S. Paris Haute Couture Week Winter 2021 Collection
With Vaishali’s thoughtful yet sartorially impactful collection, and other Indian designers putting us on the map with the fashion capitals, Indian fashion will now be recognised more for its authentic textiles and weaves than just its traditionally stereotyped silhouettes. As a country that thrives on its luxurious craftsmanship, about time that it gets recognised for more.
