Four designers gathered under one roof in mid-July to provide some “retail therapy” at the quaint Ganges Fashion store on Jatin Das. A two-day shopping extravaganza called Retail Therapy enabled shoppers to also meet the designers they were browsing — Gaurav Jai Gupta of Akaaro, Poonam Bhagat of Taika, Sunita Shanker and Vivek Narang. Alongside their collections, Suhani Pittie’s jewellery line was on display. 

“We had a great turnout and the guests were delighted to meet the designers, chat about their collections and get styling tips from them,” said Smita Bajoria, owner of Ganges Fashion. We caught up with Gaurav, Sunita and Poonam for a short chat. 

Gaurav Jai Gupta, Akaaro

One trend you will not touch: I think I’ll never do animal prints.

A look that you’re working on: A lot of things. We are focusing on saris in a big way because they have always done well and been an extension of what we do. So we are consolidating what we already do. I am also bringing in a lot more younger stuff like bomber jackets, trainers, T-shirts; so we’re also going into that direction. What I am trying to do is develop a more experimental line. 

Going online: We are going online this year. I think it’s advantageous for me to go online and make it more accessible, and to be able to convey the exclusivity of my work.

Fave silhouette and weave: Plain straight lines and simple things. I love working with wool. 

Poonam Bhagat, Taika

One trend you will not touch: I will not use net and stones. There’re some trends that I just dislike intensely. I don’t like dhoti pants. I will also never do animal prints.  

A look that you’re working on: I have recently been working on a lot of skirts and crop tops. My Indian wear is moving forward from a typical Indian look to a more cosmopolitan one. 

Going online: Putting it online exposes us to the risk of copying, so it makes me sceptical.

Fave fabric: Chanderi and linen, and I have been using them since 1991.

Sunita Shanker 

One trend you will not touch: I don’t know what the trend is but I don’t think I will be doing bridal wear the way people do. I still have to understand zardozi. I don’t like the faux sustainable look as well — it’s not stylish, it’s just drab. The boxy look is in but there’s a way of putting it together.  

A look that you’re working on: I have invariably stopped doing Indian wear but I am working on a lot of other things.  

Going online: I do not know if this is the right thing to do but this is the need of the hour. We work with handwoven stuff, so people do need to touch and feel it. But I agree with Gaurav that you should create your own content because nobody else can understand it and convey it to others. 

Fave fabric: Natural fabrics are my favourites. I have travelled to the remotest of villages across the country and I like natural fabrics sourced from those places.