In an exciting collaboration, two of India’s most esteemed fashion houses, Ekaya Banaras and 431-88 by Shweta Kapur have unveiled a ready-to-wear collection that masterfully merges the opulent heritage of Banarasi textiles with contemporary, urban sensual designs. This partnership not only aims to redefine the traditional Indian saree but also to elevate the way it is perceived and worn by modern women.
The driving philosophy behind this collaboration is to render Banarasi textiles effortlessly accessible, transforming them into modern garments suitable for women on the go. Longtime friends and collaborators Palak Shah, founder of Ekaya Banaras, and Shweta Kapur, the creative force behind 431-88, have always admired each other’s distinctive styles. Shah articulates this synergy, stating, “If I ever wanted to do a pre-draped saree, it would only be with Shweta. She has never altered a saree to appear as something else; it remains a saree but is rendered cool, chic, and effortlessly stylish.”
Creating this collection was not without its challenges. Typically, 431-88 employs fluid and lightweight fabrics like jersey and satin silks, while the traditional handlooms are characterised by their stiffness and structure. To bridge this gap, the designers engaged in extensive research and development, conducting multiple trial sessions to finalise each outfit. The designers took the help of their mothers for the trials, who didn’t hold back with their classic mom-style critiques, serving up tough and honest feedback. This feedback and multiple trials pushed them to refine the drape to ensure it allowed women the freedom to wear and style the pieces in diverse ways. As Kapur notes, “Everything was researched and developed from scratch, from the fabric to the drape,” emphasising the meticulous effort involved in crafting a drape that resonates with both the heritage of handloom and the needs of contemporary wearers.
On working with each other Kapur says, “There is always an ease while working with a friend and there was no stress, no competition while working with Palak. This is the age of collaboration. We both had our vision and story which we were able to work together and introduce into this collection.”
The collaboration resulted in a diverse range of 64 pieces, encompassing not only sarees but also blazers, kurtas, skirts, and co-ord sets. This eclectic mix exemplifies a perfect marriage between urban aesthetics and traditional fabrics, celebrating the enduring allure of Banarasi textiles within modern fashion. As we admire this striking collection, anticipation builds for future collaborations between these two fashion powerhouses, who believe they have only begun to explore their creative potential. The fusion of Ekaya’s rich heritage with 431-88’s modern sensibility promises to continue captivating fashion enthusiasts for years to come.
