Coloroso’s Festive Winter edit is a gorgeous look book of Benarasis. Joydeep Roy, the founder and creative head Coloroso, chats with t2 on the collection, saris to wear for Pujas and timeless styles.
The collection looks stunning, as always. What does the winter festive styles comprise?
For the Festive Winter collection, I have experimented a lot with big and thin borders, jaal and contemporary motifs and colours. All are Kadhua weave. You’ll find the classic booti juxtaposed with contemporary stripes. Benarasis are no longer limited to just the bridal trousseau and can look chic if it is draped differently or worn with a structured blouse.
I think of a sari like a living tradition, which in order to remain relevant, must constantly evolve. Young people love to wear feather-light fabrics that are easy to drape and look vibrant. This collection has rich jewel tones and bold design that are perfect for the young generation in any festive season
Joydeep Roy, founder and creative head Coloroso
This is a very young collection. Are you creating more and more saris keeping the younger generation in mind?
I think of a sari like a living tradition, which in order to remain relevant, must constantly evolve. Young people love to wear feather-light fabrics that are easy to drape and look vibrant. This collection has rich jewel tones and bold design that are perfect for the young generation in any festive season.
The colours look striking. Though very often seen, a tinge here and there makes all the difference, in this case, youthful. Tell us about the palette.
The palette was inspired by nature and my love for rich jewel tones. You will see a heliotrope purple, an Aegean blue, sangria mahogany, merlot reds and also shamrock green or a teal. So I have added unconventional tones to the collection. I have also added shades that are distinctly Bengali like kacha holud or dudhe-alta. These hues can be worn from day to night without looking out of place, which is what ideal festivewear should be like.
These are great for Puja too. What would you suggest for the five days?
No better time to flaunt saris than Pujo! For Panchami and Sashthi I suggest easy-breezy pastel hues. Saptami to Navami it’s all about the regal Benarasis with intricate jaal weave or if you are in the mood to experiment, a striped or a lehariya. For Dashami I would recommend sticking to a traditional red or white Benarasi that can be paired with heirloom jewellery and fresh flowers.
Do you have any memories of saris from your childhood Pujas?
Oh yes! All the women in my family have a soft spot for handloom so growing up I have seen them drape even stiff cotton saris beautifully. I would also eagerly wait to see what sari our para’r pratima would wear.
Do you see these offbeat colours on a bride?
I think brides still prefer wearing red but I love seeing unconventional colours like violet or yellow. I have seen they wear red on the wedding day and a different shade on the reception.
While red remains a classic, what kind of Benarasis have you been selling of late?
I have colour-block Benarasis that one can wear anywhere. Plain saris with just bold borders, geometric patterns, animal motifs, lots of English flowers is what I have woven this season. Pastel hues are also something people are loving so there’s that too.
What are winter wedding must-haves?
A tailored full-sleeve blouse, jewel-tone Benarasis and Benarasi dupattas to just use it as a shawl if the weather permits and heirloom jewellery.
Your favourite sari remains to be:
A traditional red Benarasi.
And, your muse?
Nature. I always draw inspiration from the colours and patterns I see around me.
